NYT Mini 7-Down (2025-08-05): Gives orders yet again, say

Question

Gives orders yet again, say

Puzzle Compass · Accepted Answer

NAGS — Gives orders yet again, say. The clue "Gives orders yet again, say" leads to the answer "NAGS" through a combination of straightforward definition and an implied repetition.

Here's the breakdown:
1. **"Gives orders"**: This part of the clue suggests someone who is issuing commands or instructions.
2. **"yet again"**: This implies repetition or persistence, indicating that the action is done repeatedly.
3. **"say"**: This is often used in crosswords to signal an example or a way of expressing something.

Putting it all together, "NAGS" fits the clue because it means to annoy or urge someone to do something by repeated requests, which aligns with the idea of giving orders repeatedly. The word "say" softens the directness, suggesting that "NAGS" is a way to describe this behavior.

So, the wordplay involves understanding that "gives orders yet again" implies a repetitive, persistent action, which is captured by the term "NAGS."