Criticize Snarkily, With "At" Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: May 04, 2025

Seeking the solution to the "Criticize snarkily, with 'at'" clue from the May 04, 2025 New York Times Mini crossword? We've decoded this verbal expression clue and identified the perfect 5-letter answer you need. To enhance your crossword experience, we've developed interactive tools—our letter-by-letter reveal option lets you gradually discover the solution at your own pace, while our comprehensive hints package includes helpful anagrams, alternative clues sharing the same answer, and detailed explanations to guide your solving approach. We've also simplified navigation between related clues from the same puzzle, making it seamless to complete connected entries. Ready to learn which snarky verbal action completes this phrase? Let's explore this language-focused crossword clue!

Crossword Answer:

NEW YORK TIMES MINI, MAY / 04 / 2025
1
2
3
4
5

You can click on the ? tiles to reveal letter by letter before uncovering the full solution.

About This Clue

The May 04, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Criticize snarkily, with 'at'" with the answer SNIPE. This clue refers to the verbal phrase "snipe at," which means to make critical, cutting remarks about someone or something, often in a quick and sarcastic manner. The clue structure indicates that we're looking for a verb that pairs with the preposition "at" to form a common expression meaning to criticize someone in a particularly caustic way.

Linguistic and Cultural Context

The word "snipe" as a verb comes from the practice of hunting snipes, which are small wading birds known for being difficult to catch due to their erratic flight patterns and camouflage. Snipe hunting often involved shooting from a concealed position at elusive targets. This hunting practice gave rise to the term "sniper" for military sharpshooters who shoot from hidden positions, and also to the figurative verb "to snipe," meaning to attack verbally from a position of relative safety or distance—much like taking verbal "shots" at someone without engaging in direct confrontation. The phrase "snipe at" specifically refers to making repeated critical remarks that are typically brief, targeted, and designed to undermine or hurt the recipient. These verbal attacks are often characterized by their sarcastic tone and the fact that they're often delivered indirectly or from a safe distance—through social media comments, behind someone's back, or in passing remarks. In contemporary usage, "sniping" is frequently used to describe behavior in political debates, social media interactions, and workplace dynamics where someone makes cutting remarks without engaging in more constructive dialogue. The term carries a somewhat negative connotation, as it suggests criticism that is more about being hurtful than helpful. The inclusion of "with 'at'" in the clue is important because it signals that we're looking for a verb that specifically pairs with this preposition to create the desired meaning. Many English phrasal verbs change meaning significantly based on the preposition they're paired with, and "snipe at" is a clear example of this linguistic pattern.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving phrasal verb clues in the NYT Mini Crossword, pay attention to prepositions mentioned in the clue, as they often signal that you're looking for a verb that combines with that preposition to form a specific meaning. In this case, the preposition "at" is a key indicator. Verbal expression clues that include "with [preposition]" typically require you to identify the base verb without the preposition. This is why the answer is "SNIPE" rather than "SNIPEAT." The descriptor "snarkily" in the clue offers an additional hint about the tone of the criticism, suggesting something cutting, sarcastic, or caustic—all qualities associated with sniping at someone. Common verbal expressions are frequently used in crosswords, particularly those with short, grid-friendly base verbs like "SNIPE." Familiarizing yourself with common phrasal verbs and their meanings can be extremely helpful for crossword solving. Five-letter words like "SNIPE" are particularly valuable in the Mini Crossword format, as they can span a significant portion of the grid while using common letters. The combination of S, N, I, P, and E includes several frequently used letters in English, making it a constructor-friendly answer.

Related Crossword Answers

JEER

Clue: "Mock or taunt"

RAZZ

Clue: "Tease or mock playfully"

GIBES

Clue: "Mocking remarks"

BIRD

Clue: "A snipe is one"

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (May 04, 2025)

ACROSS

DOWN