NYT Mini October 11, 2025: 4A - Sound from a fan that's been turned off?

Answer: SILENCE

7 letters

Clue Breakdown

The Mini frequently hides humor in everyday observations. Here the puzzle asks for a sound produced after shutting off a fan. Once the blades stop spinning, there is no mechanical noise, so the unexpected but logical answer is SILENCE. Recognizing when a clue uses irony or paradox is a classic crossword tactic.

The question mark at the end of the clue signals a playful interpretation. When you see punctuation like that, read the clue literally, but also look for the joke hiding inside the phrase. In this case, the sound is the absence of sound.

Why SILENCE Works

Matches the seven-letter requirement for the entry.
Complements the clue's tongue-in-cheek construction triggered by the question mark.
Crossings from ASL, RONALDO, AIRPODS, and OLDER nail each consonant-vowel pair.

Real-World Insight

Using SILENCE for a clue about unplugged machinery is a common trope across puzzles and riddle culture. Keep it in mind whenever you encounter prompts about powered objects suddenly going quiet; crossword constructors love flipping expectations with "nothingness" answers.

Solving Tips

Question marks hint at wordplay or whimsical logic, so prepare for a twist.
Imagine the literal scenario described in the clue and consider opposites or absences.
Preview common trick answers like NONE, QUIET, SILENCE, or NOISE when appliances are mentioned.

← Back to October 11, 2025 Puzzle

NYT Mini October 11, 2025: 4A - Sound from a fan that's been turned off?

Answer: SILENCE

Clue Breakdown

Why SILENCE Works

Real-World Insight

Solving Tips

NYT Mini Puzzle Crossword

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