Our NYT Crossword Hints for February 21, 2026 puzzle will help you move through the grid if you’ve found yourself stuck on a clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily crossword 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 paper and is also available online.
NYT Crossword Hints, February 21, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 2/21/26. The clues are listed below, and you can click/tap on a clue to go to its page for more detail, including definitions, but if you don’t want to be immediately spoiled, you can reveal letter by letter to still offer yourself more of a challenge before revealing the full solution.
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1A. Look to give nothing away?
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11A. European city on the Bay of Angels
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15A. Film subgenre exemplified by "The Thing" or "The Fly"
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16A. Like some fixations
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17A. It gets folded and pressed
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18A. Split in two
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19A. Posts on Insta
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20A. The third primary chakra is located just above it
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21A. Foundations of many dad jokes
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22A. "Right, right, right"
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24A. Yom Kippur topic
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25A. Certain slip-on
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27A. Merely hinted at
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29A. Author of "The Fisherman and His Flute"
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31A. Clip-on mic, for short
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32A. Many great athletes play with it
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34A. Architect's tool
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36A. A cow can produce about 200 pounds of it a year
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39A. In pieces
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40A. Items of some import?
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41A. Rachel ___, author of "Heated Rivalry"
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42A. Savory latke topping
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43A. Sidney who directed "12 Angry Men"
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45A. "Quiet, you"
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49A. Formula 1 star, e.g.
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51A. Shade similar to avocado
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53A. Sick
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54A. On a chain, say
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55A. A lot of paperwork
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57A. The W.N.B.A.'s Mercury, on scoreboards
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58A. Steps to a lively tune
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59A. How low can you go?
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61A. Right now!
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62A. What roller coasters are designed to do
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63A. Flat earth?
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64A. Item for purchase with a question mark on its side
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1D. Smoking spot
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2D. Mrs. John Quincy Adams
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3D. Campaign leader, informally
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4D. Overseer of the Erie Canal, in brief
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5D. "Star Trek" villain played by Ricardo Montalbán
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6D. Some diner drinks
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7D. They might have all the answers
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8D. Pink-furred cat in "Garfield"
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9D. With 26-Down, basic instruction to a dog
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10D. New ___ (official cap maker for M.L.B.)
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11D. Like a spoilsport
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12D. Totally foolproof
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13D. Many key changes take place in it
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14D. Herd at Yellowstone
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21D. It's a surprise, of course!
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23D. Chinese symbol of prosperity
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25D. Group of companions
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26D. See 9-Down
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28D. Followed surreptitiously
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30D. Beginner's set
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33D. Rack up
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35D. Ruined
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36D. Blend into one
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37D. Free spirits?
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38D. Hydrogen sulfide, e.g.
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44D. Big times
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46D. You might hear a hiss when it's pulled
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47D. Defunct image editor
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48D. Chile con carne cuisine
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50D. Hornet genus
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52D. Take a constitutional
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55D. Cunning
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56D. Go to the moon
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58D. Play together, in a way
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59D. Phase for dreamers
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60D. ___ me!
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.
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.
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.
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