Our NYT Crossword Hints for January 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, January 21, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 1/21/26. 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. Practiced pitches
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7A. What arms might do on a final gym rep
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14A. Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day
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15A. Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day
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16A. Enemy of the Avengers
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17A. Ones with the munchies, maybe
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18A. In need of a massage, say
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19A. Like those local to Universal Studios Japan
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21A. Hide one's roots, perhaps
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22A. Like the study of the kabbalah
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24A. Drill insert
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26A. Polarizing punctuation choice
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31A. Bracket-busting wins in March Madness
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35A. "Friend or ___"
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36A. Complete disrepair
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37A. Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way
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38A. Recycling container
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39A. Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way
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40A. They might be foiled
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41A. Treatment for a sprained ankle
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42A. Like the villain at the end of a "Scooby-Doo" episode
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43A. All ___
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44A. Slime
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45A. Jay-Z's and Alicia Keys's "___ State of Mind"
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46A. Classic P.O.W. movie starring Steve McQueen, with "The"
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49A. Heavy weight
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50A. Transaction on an online marketplace
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55A. Govt. org. in "Alias"
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58A. Entertainer who says "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?"
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60A. Inflation measures, for short
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61A. Opportunity to dress up
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63A. Eagles' nests
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65A. With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game
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66A. With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game
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67A. Satisfies
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68A. Luxurious cotton fabric
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1D. Italian apology
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2D. Some pullover shirts
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3D. Any course whose name ends in "101"
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4D. Bird with a plume that, ounce for ounce, was once worth more than gold
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5D. Constellation near the Big Dipper
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6D. Gentlemen, in Granada
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7D. Captured
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8D. Like government bonds and Uber drivers
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9D. ___ minority
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10D. Mrs., en français
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11D. Bit of sweat
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12D. British title
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13D. Ultimatum ender
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17D. Life across the ___ is much the same
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20D. British title
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23D. These: Sp.
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25D. Shredded, as a contract
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27D. Top-of-the-line
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28D. Prefix with vitamin or tool
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29D. Athlete aiming for a four-minute finish, perhaps
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30D. One end of an electrolytic cell
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31D. Let float, as a currency
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32D. Pertaining to hair
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33D. Welcome sight for a sailor
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34D. Patronizes, as a restaurant
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38D. Life stories
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39D. Warm and cozy
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44D. Bona fide
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45D. Govt. sites for testing pollutants
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47D. Ones with chiseled abs?
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48D. ___ Dhabi
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51D. Spar on a sailing boat
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52D. Comment that breaks the fourth wall
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53D. Feudal lord
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54D. German steel city
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55D. Provide for free, as a drink
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56D. Suffix with method or metaphor
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57D. Pine
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59D. Collectible caps in the ’90s
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62D. Steely Dan album whose name is pronounced "Asia"
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64D. The Three Kingdoms in Chinese history, e.g.
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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