NYT Mini October 11, 2025: 5D - Like the Triassic period, vis-à-vis the Jurassic

Answer: OLDER

5 letters

Clue Breakdown

The Triassic period precedes the Jurassic in the Mesozoic era. Therefore, relative to the Jurassic, the Triassic is OLDER. Crossword clues that compare historical or geological periods often boil down to understanding chronological order, making this a straightforward fact-based fill.

If you know the classic dinosaur-era sequence—Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous—the answer clicks immediately. When you encounter comparative clues, rephrase them mentally: the Triassic came before the Jurassic, so it is OLDER.

Why OLDER Works

Exactly five letters satisfy the enumerated slot.
Matches the geologic timeline referenced in the clue.
Crossings from PRINTER, LAX, SPED, and SOTS resolve each letter unambiguously.

Timeline Context

The Triassic period spanned roughly 252 to 201 million years ago, followed by the Jurassic from 201 to 145 million years ago. Remembering this order helps with a variety of science-themed crossword clues, especially when constructors reference dinosaurs or continental drift.

Solving Tips

Write comparative clues in plain language—"earlier than," "later than," "older/younger."
Keep a mental timeline of major historical periods and eras; they appear frequently in Minis.
Let crossings confirm the comparative form (OLDER versus OLDEST or EARLIER) to avoid overthinking.

← Back to October 11, 2025 Puzzle

NYT Mini October 11, 2025: 5D - Like the Triassic period, vis-à-vis the Jurassic

Answer: OLDER

Clue Breakdown

Why OLDER Works

Timeline Context

Solving Tips

NYT Mini Puzzle Crossword

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