25 Down

NYT Daily ? September 29, 2025

Military mind game, for short

Answer:

PSYOP

Hint:

This tactic often involves leaflets or broadcasts to influence enemy morale rather than direct combat. Think of the "O" as standing for "operations."

Explanation:

"Military mind game" hints at psychological operations, where forces use tactics to influence enemy behavior or morale. "For short" signals the answer is an abbreviation, and "PSYOP" is the standard military shorthand for psychological operations. The clue plays on the idea of a "game" to suggest strategy and deception, which fits the nature of these operations.

More Clues from This Puzzle

39 Across

5 letters

"Feel me?"

48 Across

4 letters

Schedule opening

65 Across

4 letters

Encouraging start?

1 Down

4 letters

Bank-backing grp. since 1933

General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints