Profound — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 13, 2025)
The final across entry tests vocabulary depth. Learn why DEEP is the precise match for this concise clue and how every crossing reinforces the choice.
8 Across
Profound
DEEP captures intellectual intensity, emotional gravity, and physical distance beneath a surface. The clue aims for that shared sense of depth, making the synonym immediate once you consider how often the Mini favors short, direct language.
Answer Analysis
Dictionary Alignment
- Primary definition: extending far down from the top or surface.
- Common figurative meaning: thoughtful, insightful, or significant.
- Word Tips reinforced the answer with an anagram hint from "PEED" and references to emotional resonance.
Cross Checks
- D intersects 6-Down ("Accomplished" → DID).
- E letters line up with 1-Down and 3-Down, each offering unique vowels.
- P confirms through 4-Down ("Reason for blue decorations at a baby shower, perhaps" → BOY).
Solving Tips
Favor Direct Synonyms
Single-word clues in the Mini usually favor straightforward answers. Trying elaborate phrases slows you down when the grid is only five columns wide.
Watch Letter Economy
Four-letter words with repeated vowels appear often because they intersect smoothly. DEEP provides two E vowels that support easy crossings.
Validate With Context
The clue carries no wordplay indicators, reinforcing that the meaning is literal. That keeps DEEP top of mind while scanning possibilities.
Build a Synonym Bank
Track common Mini answers like DEEP, TRUE, NEAT, or RARE. Recognizing frequent visitors accelerates future solves.
Vocabulary Boost
Synonyms
- Profound
- Intense
- Thoughtful
- Bottomless
Opposites
- Shallow
- Superficial
- Lightweight
- Trivial
Usage Snapshot
Think of phrases like "deep conversation," "deep cut," or "deep research." The same root reinforces the Mini solution and broadens your language awareness for future puzzles.