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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, February 18, 2025:
AcrossUrban green spaceThe answer is Park.
The answer is Drive.
The answer is Riley.
The answer is Emer.
The answer is Way.
The answer is Prima.
The answer is Ailey.
The answer is RVer.
The answer is Key.
The answer is Drew.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
SAVE $900: As of Feb. 18, the Hisense U7 85-inch 4K TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from $2,199.99. That’s a $900 discount on one of the best Mini-LED TVs you can get right now.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense U7 85-inch 4K TV $1,299.99 at AmazonI have tested enough 4K TVs to know that not all of them live up to the hype, but the 85-inch Hisense U7 is solid. It's loaded with mini-LED backlighting, full-array local dimming, and Dolby Vision, which means your movies, games, and shows look ridiculously good. Right now, Amazon has it for $1,299.99, knocking $900 off its usual price. That is a steal for a TV that brings premium-level brightness and contrast at this size.
What makes this set stand out is the QLED Quantum Dot technology, which delivers over a billion shades of color. If you have ever seen a Hisense ULED TV in action, you know they punch way above their price range. With 1500 nits of peak brightness, HDR content looks the way it should. Deep blacks, vibrant highlights, and no washed-out mess. It is IMAX Enhanced and comes with Filmmaker Mode, so movies play exactly as intended without weird motion smoothing ruining the experience.
SEE ALSO: The best Walmart Presidents' Day deals live nowIts 144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is a game-changer for, well, gamers! Motion looks buttery smooth, and input lag is kept to a minimum thanks to the low-latency Game Mode Pro. Hisense even threw in a new Game Bar, so you can tweak your settings from the TV without digging through endless menus. Whether you are on PS5, Xbox Series X, or a high-end gaming PC, this TV is built to keep up.
Sound is another big win here. Unlike most built-in TV speakers that sound like a tin can, the U7 has 2.1-channel audio with Dolby Atmos. There is a built-in subwoofer for actual bass, and the 40W speaker setup is designed to give a more immersive sound experience without needing a soundbar.
If you are after a massive TV that delivers premium performance without a premium price tag, this is the deal to jump on. $1,299.99 for an 85-inch mini-LED QLED TV with 144Hz and Dolby Vision? That is almost criminal. Amazon's discounts do not last forever, so grab this before the price shoots back up.
TL;DR: Live stream Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup showcases some really interesting matchups, including Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC. This all-American fixture is difficult to call. Both teams will fancy their chances of progressing, but that's not how knockout football works.
If you want to watch Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC?Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
How to watch Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC for freeColorado Rapids vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is the exclusive home of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
Noise-canceling headphones with a mic to talk to your gaming buddies? Check. A sick gaming joystick with RGB lighting? Check. You might have almost everything you need to start duking it out on Fortnite. But is your gaming monitor taking your weekend (or nightly) gaming sessions up a level?
If not, it may be time to ditch it for this curved monitor. It sounds a little intense, but once you add this 45-inch, ergonomic gaming monitor — which was featured at CES 2025 — to your setup, you may question why you kept your old one around for so long. This one not only has expansive screen real estate, but also 16:9 QHD pixel space, a 165Hz refresh rate, and multiple ports for $999.99 (reg. $1,1999).
Just imagine playing Grand Theft Auto V or Mario Kart with this curved gaming monitor— you might just feel like you're actually zooming through Rainbow Road or committing an exciting bank heist. Characters like Mario and Luigi and gaming scenes like Fortnite's Weeping Woods will look incredibly crisp and vibrant, thanks to this monitor's 100% sRGB and HDR400.
With a 165Hz refresh rate, you can jump away from your enemies, speed away from the scene of a bank heist, or zoom past Bowser without experiencing any pesky blurs or lag. Playing Call of Duty? You won't worry about letting any targets slink away since its FPS mode provides easy target tracking in first-person shooter games.
Check out what else this curved monitor offers to level up your gaming sessions:
Dual integrated 2.1-channel speakers with 10W bass.
90W USB-C reverse charging so you can power your laptop and enjoy speedy data, audio, and video transfer speeds.
Two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, USB Type-C, 3.5mm Audio out, and RJ45 Ethernet for improved connectivity.
Simple height, tilt, and swivel adjustment for a more ergonomic viewing position.
Enjoy your most immersive gaming experience yet.
Upgrade your gaming setup with this ergonomic 45-inch curved gaming monitor for $999.99 (reg. $1,199.99) while supplies last. You'll save nearly $200 if you act now.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mobile Pixels 45" Dual QHD HDR 165Hz Ultrawide Curved Gaming Monitor $999.99TL;DR: Get lifetime access to My Notes AI for $39.99 and let AI handle your transcriptions and summaries for effortless note-taking.
Keeping up with meetings, lectures, or brainstorming sessions can feel like a losing battle. My Notes AI makes sure you never miss a detail by automatically transcribing, summarizing, and organizing your notes for you.
For $39.99, you get a lifetime subscription to an AI-powered note-taking tool that works seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With unlimited transcriptions, you can record live audio or upload files and let AI do the rest. Need a quick recap? The built-in summarizer condenses long conversations into clear, actionable insights. If you're using a Mac, you can even record meetings directly from Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams — no extra software or bots required.
Everything stays organized with custom folders, making it easy to find notes by topic, date, or project. When you’re ready to share, simply export your notes in a few taps. Whether you're a student, professional, or someone who just hates typing, My Notes AI saves you time and effort.
Ditch manual note-taking and let AI do the heavy lifting.
Grab a lifetime subscription to this My Notes AI Pro Plan for $39.99 and make every meeting, lecture, or idea count.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: With Bytes My Notes AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription - AI Note Transcriber & Summarizer $39.99TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for $23.99 with code TAKE30 through February 23 and alleviate your PDF headaches.
If you’re tired of clunky online converters and endless subscription fees, PDF Converter Pro is your one-stop solution for all things PDF. For just $23.99 with code TAKE30 (until February 23), you’ll get a lifetime license to this powerful desktop software that lets you convert, edit, and protect your PDFs without relying on the internet.
Need to convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or even JPG and PNG images? Easy. Want to create PDFs from other file formats? You can do that, too. Thanks to built-in OCR technology, you can even extract text from scanned PDFs while preserving the original layout and graphics.
PDF Converter Pro doesn’t stop at simple conversions. You can merge multiple PDFs into one document, split files into individual pages, or compress large PDFs to free up space. Need to protect sensitive information? Add password protection with a click — or unlock PDFs just as easily. Plus, you can extract images from any PDF in a single step.
Designed for both Windows and macOS, the software offers batch processing for handling multiple documents at once, and it’s been updated with editing features like annotations, text changes, and image adjustments (editing features available on Windows only).
Stop relying on slow online tools.
Manage your PDFs with ease with a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for just $23.99 with code TAKE30 until February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License $29.99TL;DR: Through February 23, grab a lifetime virtual phone number from Hushed for $19.99 with code SAVE20 — and keep your personal number private for good.
Your personal number doesn’t need to be everyone’s business. Whether you’re juggling side hustles, navigating the dating scene, or selling some old stuff on Craigslist, Hushed gives you a lifetime private number to keep your real one under wraps — all for just $19.99 with code SAVE20 until February 23.
With Hushed, you can call and text from a virtual number without signing up for another pricey phone contract. You even get to choose your area code from hundreds across the US and Canada, so your new number feels like home (or not — we won’t judge). Use Wi-Fi or data to avoid service charges, and when people call back, they’ll hit your custom voicemail instead of your personal inbox.
Perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or anyone who likes to keep things compartmentalized, Hushed lets you send up to 6,000 texts or make 1,000 minutes of calls per year — without any monthly fees. Plus, you can forward calls, manage everything from one app, and add more credits whenever you need.
Whether you’re making deals, planning dates, or just don’t feel like giving out your real digits, Hushed has your back.
Get lifetime access to your own private number with a lifetime subscription to Hushed Private Phone Line for $19.99 with promo code SAVE20 before February 23.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription $24.99SAVE $100: As of Feb. 18, the Sonos Ace headphones are on sale for $349 at Amazon. That's 22% off their list price of $449.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace Headphones $349.00 at AmazonEven though a lot of Presidents' Day deals are winding down, there are still some nice discounts floating around at various retailers. If you've been hoping to get new headphones, Amazon's offering a great deal on the Sonos Ace right now that's worth a look. For a limited time, you can score them at their lowest price yet.
The Sonos Ace headphones are currently down to $349, 22% off their list price of $449. This also marks a return to their lowest-ever price, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. Amazon has them listed as a limited-time deal, so you'll want to act fast to get them at this price.
SEE ALSO: For gym rats and picky audiophiles alike, these are the 7 best headphones of 2025Alongside a sleek design, these headphones boast excellent sound quality and noise-canceling features that allow you to feel fully immersed in what you're listening to. We had high praise for them in our review, with Mashable's Miller Kern saying "Audio quality is Sonos’s wheelhouse and where the Ace headphones rise above competitors." And when it comes to noise-cancelation, she says that "The Sonos Ace’s aware mode is probably the best transparency mode I’ve experienced on a pair of headphones. It let me hear what was going on around me without making that all I could hear."
Another bonus to the Sonos Ace headphones is that they can be paired with Sonos soundbars to create an individual home theater experience. In regard to this function, our review says that, "This means you get Dolby Atmos spatial audio and head tracking, which create a surround sound-like experience in the headphones."
This limited-time deal won't last for long, so don't miss out on $100 off the Sonos Ace headphones at Amazon.
If you're looking for even more headphone and earbud deals, you can also save on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones at Amazon and the AirPods Max are still on sale there, too.
SAVE $30: As of Feb. 18, the Apple AirTag four-pack bundle is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you 29% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $69.99 at AmazonThe Apple AirTag is back on sale at Amazon, and we can't skip an opportunity to stock up. These little tracking devices can be attached to almost anything: keys, luggage, passports. Basically, anything you find yourself frequently losing. And as of Feb. 18, this Apple AirTag four-pack is reduced to just $69.99, saving you $30 on list price.
And the setup for these couldn't be easier. Just attach it to your item of choice and track it in the Find My app. It even has a small built-in speaker, so you can trigger a sound from the Find My app on your Apple device, making it easier to find the AirTag if it's nearby but out of sight.
SEE ALSO: Upgrade to the Apple Pencil Pro for less at AmazonAnd don't worry about it running out of battery. According to Apple, all AirTags are designed to have a one-year battery life, if used regularly. They use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, which is user-replaceable. When the battery is running low, you’ll receive a notification on your iPhone, giving you plenty of time to replace it. So with this four-back bundle, you'll always have active tracking.
It also has an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning it can cope with a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.
Head over to Amazon to grab this great deal.
SAVE $30: As of Feb. 18, the Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 23% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $99.00 at AmazonThe Apple Pencil Pro is the latest in Apple's lineup of stylus pens. Released in 2024, the new and improved pencil features a whole host of impressive upgrades and new features to shout about. And as of Feb. 18, you can get it for $30 cheaper at Amazon, now just $99.
But why upgrade to this new model? Well, this model has much more advanced control than previous Apple Pencils. By just rotating the pencil you can change the brush or pen tool settings mid-drawing. The squeeze interaction is also new and allows users to change modes or activate tools simply by squeezing the pencil.
SEE ALSO: Save $50 on Beats Studio Buds at AmazonThe Pencil Pro also includes haptic feedback. This clever feature essentially mimics the feeling of writing or drawing on real paper, delivering subtle vibrations to match the activity being performed on the iPad.
Similar to the Apple Pencil 2, the Pro can be charged wirelessly by magnetically attaching to the side of compatible iPads. According to Apple, the Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), and iPad Air 11-inch (M2).
Head to Amazon to snag this great deal.
SAVE $50: As of Feb. 18, the Beats Studio Buds are reduced to $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 33% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.95 at AmazonBeats are some of the best headphones and earbuds you can get. Famed for their punchy bass and quality sound, there really are few names as reliable. And as of Feb. 18, you can get a pair of the Beats Studio Buds for less, currently reduced to $99.95 at Amazon.
These earbuds have two listening modes: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode. Transparency mode allows you to listen to your music or podcasts while still being able to hear noise around you such as cars, bikes, and other loud noises. This is also ideal for runners who want to remain safe and aware of their surroundings while listening to music.
SEE ALSO: TikTok is back in Apple and Google's U.S. app storesLike most Beats earbuds, these are designed with comfort in mind. They come with three soft ear tip sizes for a secure and comfortable fit. They also boast an eight-hour battery life, with an additional 16 hours provided by the charging case. And if you take your earbuds on the go, these are IPX4-rated sweat- and water-resistant earbuds, so there's more protection for strenuous use or any accidental mishaps.
Head to Amazon now to grab this limited-time deal.
TL;DR: Live stream Atalanta vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Champions League playoff round gives a select group of teams another chance of making the knockout rounds. Atalanta and Club Brugge are competing at this stage, with the Belgian side winning the first leg 2-1. Everything is still to play for as the action heads back to Italy.
If you want to watch Atalanta vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Atalanta vs. Club Brugge?Atalanta vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at the Gewiss Stadium.
How to watch Atalanta vs. Club Brugge for freeAtalanta vs. Club Brugge is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Atalanta vs. Club Brugge for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Atalanta vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atalanta vs. Club Brugge (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Atalanta vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream AC Milan vs. Feyenoord in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Champions League playoff round has already delivered a number of excellent games, and we're expecting more of the same in the second legs. AC Milan vs. Feyenoord hangs in the balance after Feyenoord won the opening game 1-0. It's all still to play for as this playoff matchup heads to Milan.
If you want to watch AC Milan vs. Feyenoord in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is AC Milan vs. Feyenoord?AC Milan vs. Feyenoord in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at the San Siro.
How to watch AC Milan vs. Feyenoord for freeAC Milan vs. Feyenoord is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream AC Milan vs. Feyenoord for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch AC Milan vs. Feyenoord for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream AC Milan vs. Feyenoord (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream AC Milan vs. Feyenoord in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Champions League is getting serious. Places in the last 16 are at a premium, with the playoff round delivering huge matchups between Europe's elite.
Celtic and Bayern Munich are facing off in the second leg of their tie. If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Bayern Munich vs. Celtic?Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic for freeBayern Munich vs. Celtic is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.
Fans from outside the UK will need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:
Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. Celtic on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Prime Video?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Bayern Munich vs. Celtic in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: 8NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 18 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 18, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A type of music or film.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter I appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter I.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
INDIE.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 18Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 18 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: A hole
Green: Easy to reach
Blue: A really good dinner
Purple: The Queen's English
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Crater
Green: Accessible
Blue: Substantial, As a Meal
Purple: Britishisms
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #618 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayCrater: CAVITY, HOLE, HOLLOW, PIT
Accessible: AVAILABLE, HANDY, NEARBY, READY
Substantial, As a Meal: FILLING, HEARTY, SOLID, SQUARE
Britishisms: BUTTY, CHIPPY, FOOTY, TELLY
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 18Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Throw that ____
Green: Trying to score 3 points in American football
Blue: Teams in South Florida
Purple: Women's basketball teams that no longer exist
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Fastball
Green: Parts of a field goal attempt
Blue: Miami teams
Purple: Defunct WNBA teams
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #148 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayFastball - CHEESE, FIREBALL, GAS, SMOKE
Parts of a field goal attempt - HOLD, SNAP, BLOCK, KICK
Miami teams - DOLPHINS, HEAT, HURRICANES, MARLINS
Defunct WNBA teams - MIRACLE, SHOCK, SOL, STING
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Ouch!These words are painful encounters.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe words are creatures that can sting.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Stingers.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 18Jellyfish
Scorpion
Hornet
Stingers
Bumblebee
Platypus
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
South Korea is the latest governing body to restrict the Chinese company DeepSeek based on the company's data policies.
South Korean officials on Saturday announced a temporary suspension of downloading the DeepSeek app until it complies with local data protection laws under the country's Personal Information Protection Act.
SEE ALSO: Could Trump ban DeepSeek? What the TikTok ban saga tells us.After analyzing the app's policies, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) "identified some shortcomings in communication functions and personal information processing policies with third-party service providers," according to a press release translated from Korean to English. The PIPC said it will unblock downloads on local app stores once DeepSeek "meets the requirements of domestic protection laws."
DeepSeeks burst onto the AI scene in January with an advanced reasoning chatbot that was free, open-source, and made for a fraction of the cost of popular models like OpenAI's o1. But its privacy policy was just as newsworthy since the company collects extensive user data and stores it on servers in China, making it accessible to the Chinese government in accordance with local laws.
Countries quickly took note and raised the alarm about data protection and national security risks, given China's status as a foreign adversary. Ireland and Italy have both sent inquiries requesting more information about DeepSeek's policies, and Italy has subsequently blocked downloads. Australia also recently banned the use of DeepSeek on government devices. Since DeepSeek's emergence, U.S. federal legislation has been introduced to ban DeepSeek on government devices and New York and Texas have already moved to do the same in their respective state legislation.
Back in South Korea, the announcement said users who have already downloaded DeepSeek will still have access, but told users to "use the app with caution" and not enter personal information.
Paywalled subreddits are coming this year, confirmed by Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.
In a prerecorded video AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Friday answering redditors' questions about the company's Q4 2024 earnings, Reddit executives shared some more information about its plans to monetize the social media forum.
RedditBack in August 2024, Huffman hinted that paywalled subreddits were on the way, saying, "we will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature."
When asked about the progress of monetizing subreddits during Friday's video, Huffman said, "it's a work in progress right now so that one's coming. We're working on it as we speak." In a separate question about key features for 2025, Huffman confirmed that users can expect to see the introduction of paid subreddits this this year.
Reddit had remained a pretty consistent platform since its inception in 2005. But its IPO last year triggered some significant changes in an effort to increase shareholder value. The most notorious one was hiking up its API fees, effectively shutting popular third party apps like Apollo. Reddit also made licensing deals with Google and OpenAI in exchange for letting their web crawlers access the site.
There weren't many details about what a paid subreddit model might look like, but as mentioned in the AMA, the platform is actively looking for other ways to bring in revenue. Huffman also mentioned the introduction of a marketplace for buying products through the platform, though he described it as more of a longterm plan.
COO Jen Wong also chimed in about the importance of licensing deals for AI chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, in addition to "marketing intelligence and social listening" customers. Reddit also has its own AI chatbot called Reddit Answers which sources information from the Reddit community.
All that's to say, expect more changes to come from Reddit, and expect them to come with a cost.
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