Like the element Fe? NYT crossword clue

The answer to the New York Times The Mini crossword clue “Like the element Fe?” is IRONY. Fe is the chemical symbol for iron, and the clue plays on the dual meaning of “irony” as both a form of expression and as a word phonetically resembling “irony,” which contains the root “iron.” It’s a pun that depends on recognizing both the periodic table reference and the wordplay embedded in the clue.

“Irony” is a common English word that typically refers to a situation where the outcome is opposite of what was expected. However, in this clue, the puzzle plays with the homophonic relationship between “Fe” (iron) and the start of the word “irony,” crafting a clever linguistic twist that rewards solvers who enjoy a mix of science and humor.