NYT Crossword February 16 2026 Answers (2/16/26)

We have all of the answers to the NYT Crossword puzzle for February 16 2026 to help you finish it up!

Our NYT Crossword February 16, 2026 answers guide should help you finish today’s crossword if you’ve found yourself stuck on a crossword clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily puzzle that tests solvers’ knowledge and vocabulary. It’s one of the most popular crosswords in the world, known for its challenging clues and clever wordplay. The puzzle is published in the print edition of The New York Times and is also available online.

NYT Crossword February 16, 2026 Answers

If you need help solving the NYT Crossword on 2/16/26, we’ve listed all of the crossword clues below so you can find the answer(s) you need. You can search for the clue and then select the appropriate clue to get the answer. We have done it this way so that if you’re just looking for a handful of clues, you won’t spoil other ones you’re working on!

Looking for answers to another NYT Crossword puzzle? Check out our archive of NYT Crossword Answers. Our NYT Crossword Hints for February 16, 2026 are also available if you prefer not to be immediately spoiled.

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# Clue
1A Necklace fastener
6A Physique, slangily
9A "___ to that!"
13A Textile city NNE of Paris
14A New wave band with the hit "Whip It"
15A Improvise, in jazz
16A Stared rudely
17A Late-night kitchen visit, e.g.
18A Stench
19A Longtime comic strip set in a medieval kingdom
22A Home for pigs
23A Teen wearing heavy eyeliner, maybe
24A Really, really cool
27A "My dude!"
28A Computer operating system developed by Bell Labs
30A ___-Hulk
31A Charge for airing a commercial
34A Fictional lab assistant with a hunchback
35A Stylish
36A Capital of the Gem State, in a mailing address
38A Possible cybercrime, informally
40A M.I.T. Mystery ___ (annual puzzle competition)
41A Close by
43A Corrosion signs
44A Stadium cheer
45A Glance through
46A Reader's Digest or Golf Digest, in brief
47A Where clams are served
49A Knotted (up)
51A Rep.'s counterpart
54A "Makes no difference to me"
57A Actress Kendrick
59A Hourly pay rate
60A Flock that honks
61A Follow directions
62A Conga, for one
63A Chicago's ___ Planetarium
64A Scottish girl
65A Place to get a rubdown
66A Voting spots
1D Thickens, as cream
2D Not heavy
3D Narrow way between city buildings
4D Whole bunch
5D Horse's ancestral line
6D Hearty embrace
7D Roman poet who wrote "Metamorphoses"
8D Dull-witted sort
9D Eschew
10D Frantic scrambles
11D Rock subgenre with confessional lyrics
12D "All Things Considered" airer
14D "Fiddlesticks!"
20D D.C.'s National ___
21D Kind of number on an old business card
25D Change gears
26D Religious offshoots
27D Top-tier
29D Pinot ___
31D Give 0 stars in a review, say
32D One giving support during childbirth
33D High-quality reds and whites
34D Something to noodle on
35D Drink very quickly
37D Glitterati
39D Shortfall of exports vis-à-vis imports
42D One of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean
45D Droop
46D "It's just OK"
48D Occasions for blowing out candles on cakes, informally
50D Agenda bullet point
51D Linger (on), as a topic
52D Art supporter
53D Mike who voiced Shrek in "Shrek"
55D Wyatt at the O.K. Corral
56D Make over
57D Early leader in instant messaging
58D Org. for the Raptors, but not the Blue Jays

We also recommend trying your hand at the NYT Mini Crossword, which is definitely easier (on all days!) as it is a 5×5, compared to the full-sized crossword (which is 15×15, and the Sunday edition is 21×21!). New crosswords are released at 10PM ET on weekdays and 6PM ET on weekends.

The New York Times crossword was first published in The New York Times in 1942 and has been a daily feature ever since. It is known for its high level of difficulty and for its clever, often playful, clues and themes. The puzzles range in size from 15x15 grids on weekdays to larger 21x21 grids on Sundays, with varying levels of difficulty.

Interior Nyt Crossword 002

The New York Times crossword is created by a team of skilled puzzle constructors and editors, who work to ensure that each puzzle is both entertaining and challenging for solvers. The puzzles are often themed, with clues and answers related to a particular subject or concept, and they frequently feature wordplay and puns.

NYT Crossword (Main Grid)
Image via NYT Crossword

Solving the New York Times crossword has become a beloved pastime for many, and there are even competitions and clubs devoted to crossword puzzle solving. The New York Times crossword is available in print in the newspaper and online, and it has a dedicated following of loyal solvers who eagerly await each day's puzzle.

If you’re still struggling to solve your NYT crosswords, consider practicing with the Eugene Sheffer and Thomas Joseph dailies first. If you’re looking for similarly challenging crosswords, we recommend the WSJ Crossword and LA Times Crossword.

Christine Mielke

Christine Mielke

Christine Mielke has been an avid fan of word games and puzzles for over two decades. She loves to unscramble words, challenge herself to crossword puzzles and try out the latest word games. As a published author and database architect, it was natural for her to take her love for all things word games to the next level!

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