Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Bowl over”
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Answer: AMAZE – 5 letters
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Clue number and direction: 3 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Bowl over” is answered with AMAZE in 5 letters. In the grid, it appears as AMAZE across.
Why AMAZE Is the Right NYT Answer
In everyday English, “to bowl someone over” means to astonish or amaze them, not literally knock them down. That figurative sense is exactly what the NYT is using here, so AMAZE is the clean synonym.
For the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini, 3-Across is confirmed as AMAZE in the published solutions. The five-letter length matches the slot, and its letters line up with the Downs (MIMED, AGAVE, RAZES, GREEK, CAL), confirming A‑M‑A‑Z‑E at every crossing.
What AMAZE Means
To amaze someone is to surprise them greatly or fill them with wonder. It’s the emotional effect you get when something is unusually impressive, shocking, or delightful.
So when the clue says “Bowl over,” it’s using that idiomatic expression for leaving someone stunned or wowed—precisely what AMAZE captures.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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When a clue looks physical (“bowl over,” “floor,” “knock out”) but the grid is short and early-week, think of emotional/mental synonyms like AMAZE, STUN, or WOW.
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Check letter count: a 5-letter “bowl over” is very often AMAZE in NYT-style puzzles.
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Use crossings: if you see A_A_E or AMA_E from other entries, AMAZE becomes the standout candidate.
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Keep a mental list of reaction verbs that recur: AMAZE, STUN, DAZE, WOW, AWE.
How AMAZE Fits the Grid
For 3-Across in the February 12, 2026 Mini, the entry length is five squares, which matches AMAZE perfectly. Pattern-wise, you’re filling:
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AMAZE(A‑M‑A‑Z‑E)
Each letter is supported by crossings from the Down clues (MIMED, AGAVE, RAZES, GREEK, CAL), so there’s no ambiguity once the crosses are in place. This grid confirmation is a key check that you’ve got the right answer, not just a plausible synonym.
Other Ways AMAZE Might Be Clued
AMAZE shows up frequently in crosswords with clue styles like:
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“Stun”
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“Wow”
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“Knock the socks off of”
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“Leave speechless”
All of these rely on the same core meaning: causing strong surprise or wonder.
Complete February 12, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down clues and answers)
Here are the main answers from the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini to help you finish the grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Tequila cocktail that often comes in a salt-rimmed glass, casually | MARG | 4 |
| Signature export of Cuba | CIGAR | 5 |
| Bowl over | AMAZE | 5 |
| Flood regulator | LEVEE | 5 |
| Classroom station | DESK | 4 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Acted without saying anything | MIMED | 5 |
| Desert plant used in tequila production | AGAVE | 5 |
| Demolishes | RAZES | 5 |
| Language from which we get “cosmos” and “democracy” | GREEK | 5 |
| Berkeley campus, for short | CAL | 3 |
