5 Down
NYT Mini • August 18, 2025
Hard-headed animal
Answer:
RAM
Hint:
3-letter word
Explanation:
"Hard-headed animal" plays on the double meaning of "hard-headed." Literally, it describes a ram, a male sheep known for its tough skull and head-butting behavior. Figuratively, "hard-headed" can mean stubborn, which also fits a ram’s reputation for being strong-willed and unyielding. The clue cleverly ties both interpretations together to point to the answer.