Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Demolishes”
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Answer: RAZES – 5 letters
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Clue number and direction: 3 Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Demolishes” is answered with RAZES in 5 letters. In the grid, it appears as RAZES going down.
Why RAZES Is the Right NYT Answer
To raze something means to completely destroy or level it, especially a building or structure, which matches the plural verb “demolishes.” The “-es” ending in RAZES also mirrors the third-person singular present tense in the clue.
In the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini, 3-Down is listed as RAZES in the official answer rundowns, and its letters align perfectly with all crossing Across entries (MARG, CIGAR, AMAZE, LEVEE, DESK).
What RAZES Means
RAZES is the present-tense verb form of “raze,” meaning “demolishes,” “levels,” or “tears down” a building or other structure. It usually implies total destruction—nothing significant is left standing.
So the clue “Demolishes” is effectively giving you the definition for RAZES, making this a straightforward vocab-based entry.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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For destruction verbs like “demolishes,” “levels,” or “flattens,” think of RAZES for a 5-letter answer.
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Watch tense and number carefully: “demolish” → RAZE, “demolishes” → RAZES, “demolished” → RAZED. The clue’s form should match the entry’s.
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Use crossing patterns: if you see R_ZES or _AZES with a destruction clue, RAZES is almost always correct.
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Keep a list of common destruction words: RAZE, WRECK, RUIN, SMASH—they come up a lot in NYT puzzles.
How RAZES Fits the Grid
For 3-Down, the NYT Mini provides a 5-letter vertical slot, which matches RAZES exactly. Pattern-wise, the entry is:
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RAZES(R‑A‑Z‑E‑S)
Each letter crosses appropriately with Across answers:
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R with MARG.
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A with CIGAR.
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Z with AMAZE.
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E with LEVEE.
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S with DESK.
When every crossing forms a valid word, you can be confident RAZES is the intended solution.
Other Ways RAZES Might Be Clued
RAZES shows up frequently in crosswords under clues such as:
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“Levels, as a building”
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“Flattens completely”
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“Tears down”
All of these are direct synonyms for the same destruction idea.
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 |
