If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, you might have come across the New York Times Mini Crossword, a small but challenging puzzle that appears every day in the newspaper and online. The mini crossword has a 5×5 grid and usually has no more than 10 clues, making it a quick and fun way to test your vocabulary and general knowledge. However, sometimes the clues can be tricky and you might need some help to find the right answer. In this article, we will show you how to solve the “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue from the December 3, 2022 puzzle.

What is the Clue?

The clue for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” puzzle is:

Made like a secret agent

The clue is a four-letter word that fits in the second row of the grid, across from the first column. The word also intersects with two other words, one in the first column and one in the third column, both of which are five-letter words. The clue for the first column is:

Brick or stone worker

The clue for the third column is:

When pigs fly

What is the Answer?

The answer for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue is:

SPIED

The word “spied” means to observe someone or something secretly, as a secret agent would do. The word also fits with the other clues, as the word in the first column is:

MASON

A mason is a person who works with brick or stone, building walls, structures, or sculptures. The word in the third column is:

NEVER

The word “never” is used to express something that is impossible or very unlikely to happen, as in the phrase “when pigs fly”. The word “never” is also a synonym for “not ever”.

How to Find the Answer?

There are several ways to find the answer for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue, depending on your level of skill and preference. Here are some possible methods:

• Use a crossword solver tool. There are many online tools that can help you find the answer for any crossword clue, by entering the clue, the number of letters, and any known letters. For example, you can use the Bing Crossword Solver to find the answer for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue, by typing “Made like a secret agent” in the clue box, “4” in the length box, and “S” in the first letter box. The tool will then show you the possible answers, along with the definition and the source of the clue.
• Use a thesaurus or a dictionary. Another way to find the answer for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue is to use a thesaurus or a dictionary to look for synonyms or related words that match the clue and the grid. For example, you can use the Bing Thesaurus to find synonyms for “secret agent”, such as “spy”, “snoop”, or “sneak”. Then, you can check which word has four letters and starts with “S”. You can also use the Bing Dictionary to look for definitions or examples of words that fit the clue and the grid. For example, you can type “spied” in the search box and see the definition and the usage of the word.
• Use your own knowledge and logic. The most satisfying way to find the answer for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue is to use your own knowledge and logic, based on the clue, the grid, and the other clues. For example, you can think of what a secret agent does, and what word describes that action. You can also use the letters that you already have in the grid, and try to form a word that makes sense. You can also use the other clues to narrow down the possibilities, and eliminate the words that do not fit.

Why is the Clue Interesting?

The clue for the “Made Like a Secret Agent” puzzle is interesting because it is a clever and concise way to describe a word that has multiple meanings and uses. The word “spied” can be used as a verb, a noun, or an adjective, depending on the context. For example, you can say:

• I spied a bird in the tree. (verb)
• He was a spied for the enemy. (noun)
• She had a spied look on her face. (adjective)

The word “spied” can also be used in different phrases or expressions, such as:

• Spied and span. (meaning neat and tidy)
• Spied glass. (meaning a type of glass that changes color depending on the angle of light)
• Spied on. (meaning watched secretly or closely)

The word “spied” is also related to the word “spy”, which is a common theme in crossword puzzles, as it can be used to create various clues, such as:

• Spy novel hero. (answer: BOND)
• Spy’s device. (answer: BUG)
• Spy’s org. (answer: CIA)

The word “spied” is also interesting because it is a palindrome, meaning a word that is spelled the same way forward and backward. Palindromes are often used in crossword puzzles, as they can create symmetrical and elegant grids. Some examples of palindromes are:

• EYE
• RACECAR
• MADAM

Conclusion

The “Made Like a Secret Agent” clue from the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle is a fun and challenging clue that tests your vocabulary and general knowledge. The clue is a four-letter word that means to observe someone or something secretly, as a secret agent would do. The answer is “spied”, which also fits with the other clues in the grid. You can find the answer by using a crossword solver tool, a thesaurus or a dictionary, or your own knowledge and logic. The clue is interesting because it is a clever and concise way to describe a word that has multiple meanings and uses, and is also a palindrome. We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new. Happy puzzling!