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Small coastal waterway — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 16, 2025)

Geography staples thrive in the Mini. Here's the confirmed fill, why it dominates the clue, and how to use it as a stepping stone for the remaining grid. Apostrophes and quotation marks render as ' and " for HTML purity.

7 Across

Small coastal waterway

INLET

An INLET is a narrow recess of the shoreline, perfectly matching the clue's description. Word Tips confirms the definition while the length dovetails with the Mini's five-letter slot.

Why INLET Fits Like a Glove

Definition Check

  • Coastal waterways smaller than bays are commonly termed inlets.
  • Other five-letter options like CANAL or CREEK either misrepresent scale or lack the coastal qualifier.
  • The clue's singular phrasing demands a singular noun, favoring INLET over INLETS.

Crossing Guarantees

  • 1-Down WANNA sets each letter in stone, taking guesswork off the table.
  • 2-Down IMOLD sets each letter in stone, taking guesswork off the table.
  • 3-Down NOTES sets each letter in stone, taking guesswork off the table.
  • 4-Down EAST sets each letter in stone, taking guesswork off the table.
  • 5-Down SKIP sets each letter in stone, taking guesswork off the table.

Speed Solve Toolkit

Scan for Geography Keywords

The phrase “coastal waterway” is a crossword tell for inlet. Seasoned solvers can drop it in before confirming crosses.

Check Letter Pattern

INLET's vowel placement (I-E) with terminal T is common in Mini grids, helping you recognize the structure instantly.

Use Crosses Strategically

When your across answer shares letters with high-confidence Downs like EAST and SKIP, you can lock it before verifying the rest of the row.

Remember Common Mini Answers

INLET is a recurring entry in both the Mini and standard crossword. Keeping it top of mind saves seconds on the clock.

Expand Your Waterway Vocabulary

Related Terms

  • BAY
  • COVE
  • ESTUARY
  • SOUND

Letter Pattern Insight

INLET’s consonant frame (N-L-T) stabilizes the middle of the grid. Recognizing that pattern ensures you do not confuse it with similar-length answers like ISLET.