Visibly muscular NYT Crossword Clue
If you’ve worked your way through NYT Mini puzzles lately, you’ve probably wrestled with the clue “Visibly muscular.” That combo of fitness and wordplay stumps more folks than you’d expect. It’s a classic—a clue that cuts right to the chase, but will still tie you up if you aren’t in the groove with crossword lingo.
Answer
The right answer is TONED. When someone is visibly muscular not hulking, just clearly defined TONED is the word that fits the grid and the clue. Crossword constructors love it because it’s five letters, all useful for crossing words, and it neatly sums up that look between gym buff and just plain healthy.
Explanation:
Why TONED, not buff or jacked? Because TONED means you can actually see the muscle definition, but without the extreme. It’s a word you hear in gyms, fitness magazines, or even just from regular folks describing a fit look. In crosswordland, “muscular” can tempt you toward fancier answers, but “visibly” hints at visible, defined, yet not necessarily bulging. Plus, TONED shows up a lot in NYT and other mini crosswords for this reason—it’s one of those go-to five-letter options editors can use for so many clues.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers – August 2, 2025
Checking your grid for today’s (August 2, 2025) Mini? Here’s what tripped folks up or made you breeze through:
| TikTok or Tinder | Show |
| Lawyers' org. | Show |
| Place with Bunsen burners and beakers, in brief | Show |
| Product that can be sampled with a spray on the wrist | Show |
| Visibly muscular | Show |
| Groceries carrier | Show |
| Self-indulgent "journey" | Show |
| AOL alternative | Show |
| Things that phone users might accidentally tap on webpages | Show |
| Sports org. that now includes schools from Texas and California, strangely enough | Show |
| Hobbyists with cameras, informally | Show |
| Big name in exercise bikes | Show |
| "Solve for x" subject | Show |
| Temporary fix, so to speak | Show |
| Pres. Lincoln | Show |
| "Show me the ___" (punny request at an art museum) | Show |
| President pro ___ | Show |
| Road trip assistance, for short | Show |
About NYT Mini Crossword
The Mini is a quick burst of crossword action—think of it as a daily brain wake-up, not a marathon. Its clues tilt toward the pop culture, fitness, food, and science ends of the spectrum. You’ll bump into words like TONED, LAB, and even slang on the regular. What keeps it fresh is that there’s no time to overthink; it’s as much about instincts as deep vocabulary.
How to Solve a Crossword
The absolute best play is to hit the clues you know, fast. Don’t freeze on one; jump around the grid. The right crossing—like the “N” in TONED or “B” in BAG—can suddenly light up the blanks. Don’t get stuck on style; erase and re-enter until something fits. Sometimes the word that feels too “obvious” is the real answer, and other times, it’s just a trick to get you spinning.
Tips for NYT Mini Crosswords
Knock out the short and easy clues first for letters to build off.
When you see a clue with “visibly” or “clearly” in it, think of synonyms that mean the look like “toned” for muscles you can see.
Don’t overthink fitness words; NYT likes friendly, everyday lingo.
Use all the crossings—wrong guesses aren’t the end, just part of the process.
If you get stuck, step away and check back. Sometimes that time-out is all you need to spot the solution.
