Quick Answer
Clue: “With 2-Down, intentionally inflammatory posts”
Answer: RAGE
Answer length: 4 letters
Position: 6-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “With 2-Down, intentionally inflammatory posts” has the 4-letter answer RAGE, which combines with 2-Down (“BAIT”) to make the modern term “rage bait.”
Why RAGE Is the Right NYT Answer
- Answer pages for the January 21, 2026 NYT Mini list RAGE as the solution for this Across clue, with 2-Down clued as BAIT. Together they form RAGE BAIT, a phrase used for content crafted to provoke anger or outrage online.
- The clue’s wording “intentionally inflammatory posts” points directly to posts designed to stir up strong negative reactions, which is exactly how dictionaries and usage notes describe rage bait.
What RAGE (and RAGE BAIT) Means in Plain English
- On its own, rage is intense anger or violent fury. In internet slang, “rage bait” or “rage-bait” refers to posts purposefully written to anger readers so they’ll reply, share, or click, boosting engagement.
- So in this crossword, RAGE is the first half of that compound; the full idea “intentionally inflammatory posts” is captured by the phrase RAGE BAIT built from 6-Across and 2-Down.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Themed Use
- In the grid, RAGE fills as R‑A‑G‑E, so partial patterns like R_G_ or _AGE from crossings make the entry easy to confirm. Because this is a paired clue (“With 2-Down”), seeing BAIT cross nearby makes the theme very clear and eliminates alternatives like “troll” for the individual entry.
- Words related to online behavior RAGE, BAIT, TROLL, POST are increasingly common in NYT Minis, especially when tied to contemporary phrases like rage bait.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When a clue includes “With [other entry],” treat the pair as one phrase; mentally slot possibilities like RAGE BAIT, CLICK BAIT, or HATE MAIL, then break them into grid-sized chunks.
- For clues about “inflammatory posts” or “provocative content,” consider modern internet terms (RAGE, BAIT, TROLL, FLAME) and use crossings plus length to decide which one fits.
Recognizing contemporary slang the NYT now uses especially viral words like “rage bait,” which has even been highlighted by Oxford and major dictionaries will give you a big edge on newer Minis.
