Quick Answer
The New York Times Mini crossword clue “Requiring constant emotional validation” is answered with “NEEDY”, a 5-letter entry.
Clue: “Requiring constant emotional validation”
Answer: NEEDY
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 7-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Requiring constant emotional validation” is answered with NEEDY.
In the grid, it appears as N E E D Y (NEEDY).
Why NEEDY Is the Right NYT Answer
- The clue describes someone who constantly seeks reassurance and emotional approval, which matches the everyday use of “needy” for emotionally dependent behavior.
- Solver and answer sites list NEEDY as the confirmed 5-letter solution for this exact NYT Mini clue on February 10, 2026.
- The NYT Mini often uses conversational, modern-psychology language for personality descriptors, and NEEDY fits that tone while cleanly matching the 5-letter requirement at 7-Across.
What NEEDY Means in Plain English
- In plain English, needy describes someone who frequently seeks attention, reassurance, or emotional support from others, often more than is typical in everyday relationships.
- It’s commonly used for people who want constant texts, compliments, or confirmation that everything is okay.
- In this clue, “requiring constant emotional validation” is effectively a definition of that behavior, so NEEDY is a direct, definition-style answer.
Crossword-Specific Help for 7-Across
- On the February 10, 2026 NYT Mini, 7-Across is clued as “Requiring constant emotional validation” with five squares, matching NEEDY.
- Hints pages even note that 7-Across “ends with the letter ‘Y’,” which aligns with the final Y in NEEDY.
- As you fill crossings from Down clues, you’ll likely see patterns like:
- N E E _ Y or N _ E D Y, which strongly points to NEEDY.
- Across lists of the full puzzle confirm the Across set: BOW, MOTOR, EXTRA, NEEDY, DRS, with NEEDY locked in at 7-Across.
- NEEDY is not obscure crosswordese; it’s a common, modern adjective that appears in many mainstream crosswords when editors want a personality or relationship descriptor.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
For emotional or personality-based clues, watch for wording like:
- “Overly dependent, emotionally”
- “Always wanting reassurance”
- “Clingy, in a relationship”
When the grid length is 5 letters, NEEDY should be high on your list of candidates. Crossings will quickly confirm the double-E pattern: N E E D Y.
The theme of validation appears in other NYT clues as well, such as “What someone seeking validation might need,” which uses different answers in other dates, so be sure to check both the clue’s tone and the letter count.
