‘Wards (off)’ NYT Mini Crossword clue answer and hints

Have you ever driven away deer, rabbits, or moles from your land? I have, because it’s very annoying to see invaders ruin your hard work. Today’s NYT Mini Crossword clue “Wards (off)” calls upon your knowledge to describe the act of protecting yourself.

If you’re struggling, here are today’s hints and answers for the Sept. 2 NYT Mini Crossword.

‘Wards (off)’ NYT Sept. 2 Mini Crossword hints and answer

• Hint 1: The answer means to defend against something or keep it at bay.
• Hint 2: The five-letter word is usually paired with “off” in the end.
• Hint 3: It starts with the letter “F.”
• Hint 4: The answer retains the meaning of the original word “wards” and replaces it with a synonym.

Now that you’re safe from invaders. Let’s reveal the answer. 

Did you see it coming? The answer to four down in the Sept. 2 New York Times Mini Crossword is “FENDS.” According to Merriam-Webster, the word fends means “to keep or ward off” something, and the word is directly synonymous with “wards.” Both words also use “off” at the end. 

‘Wards (off)’ NYT Mini Crossword difficulty rating

This clue was certainly one of the easiest in the NYT Mini Crossword today, and it’s essentially a test of your vocabulary. Since many people use this word in everyday conversations to refer to different things, I’d give it a two out of five for difficulty.

NYT Mini Crossword (Sept. 2) answers

Across

• 1A Professional in a toque—CHEF
• 5A “I’m not a ____” (online affirmation next to a checkbox)—ROBOT
• 7A Love, in Italian—AMORE
• 8A Wards (off)—FENDS
• 9A Secret rendezvous—TRYST

Down

• 1D Woodcarving or metalsmithing, e.g.—CRAFT
• 2D It’s going… going… gone!—HOMER
• 3D Dark wood once used for drinking cups, as it was thought to neutralize poison—EBONY
• 4D Focuses on the road?—FORDS
• 6D One might be multiple-choice—TEST

How to play other word games like the NYT Mini Crossword

Having fun solving word games like the NYT Mini Crossword? You should also try other crosswords at the LA Times and Washington Post. If you’re done with traditional crosswords, then Strands and Spelling Bee instead—they’re both good alternatives.