Our NYT Crossword Hints for February 28, 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 28, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 2/28/26. 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. Set unambitious goals
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7A. One playing beerball, perhaps
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14A. Tolkien ring bearer
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16A. Precious person
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17A. Phrase you might say while pointing at a photograph
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18A. Goes against the rule?
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19A. Musical set in Alphabet City
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20A. Term of endearment appropriated from 9-Down
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22A. Part of a Blues Brothers outfit
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23A. Animated friend of Sebastian the crab
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25A. Some arm muscles, informally
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27A. Cassiterite is a source of it
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28A. Robert Frost's middle name
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29A. ___ Allen Express, Amtrak train from New York City to Burlington, Vt.
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31A. Innermost moon of Neptune
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33A. Pressure gauge?
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35A. Past, colloquially
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36A. Symbols used to group blocks of computer code
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37A. Was on the sidelines
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38A. Breathlessness
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39A. Polynesian staple
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42A. Not mainstream, as some music genres
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43A. Fuss
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44A. Weakens, as an overly strong character, in video game lingo
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46A. Angora fabric
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49A. Utmost
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51A. ___ Tung, star of cable TV's "The Summer I Turned Pretty"
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52A. Did a bedtime task
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54A. Modern banking convenience
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56A. Musical sample added for excitement
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57A. Animals in an early-2000s virtual fad
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58A. Entered again
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59A. One might play at home
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1D. Kind of projection
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2D. Call at a roll call
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3D. Big jerk
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4D. Drink often sipped
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5D. Rap pioneers, slangily
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6D. Space to develop as a person?
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7D. In brief, to whom Grover Cleveland once said "I am making a strange wish for you ... that you may never be president of the United States"
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8D. School houses?
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9D. Dialect that is responsible for a large majority of Gen Z slang
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10D. Put one's foot down
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11D. Decorative items worn at Western galas
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12D. Like defendants at court
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13D. Principle of improv comedy
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15D. Gay nightlife spot with a dress requirement
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21D. Error correction tool
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24D. Uncork, so to speak
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26D. Body bronzer
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30D. ___ Story (punny nickname for the "Iliad")
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31D. Like the lion killed by Hercules
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32D. Scientific classification for birds
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33D. Tesla, for one
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34D. Affliction treated with a nit comb
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35D. Acting like a sore loser, informally
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36D. ___ counter
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37D. South Indian lentil stew
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39D. Following etiquette
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40D. Recently
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41D. Declaration after "because"
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43D. French relative
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45D. Skip the ceremony, say
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47D. Like some unmoisturized skin
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48D. Blue-roofed restaurant
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50D. Coral and sand, for two
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53D. Popular role-playing game since 1974, informally
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55D. One whose eyes are "all aglow" in "The Christmas Song"
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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