Our NYT Crossword Hints for May 17, 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 May 17, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 5/17/26. 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. Snag
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7A. Italian sparkling wine
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11A. John ___, personification of Objectivism, for Ayn Rand
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15A. Code for Queens-landers?
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18A. ___ polaris
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19A. Intl. group formed in 1945
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20A. Purple dish eaten with a spoon
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22A. Lottery commission?
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24A. Prison terms?
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25A. Smell, e.g.
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26A. University of Alabama rallying cry
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28A. President's middle name (accented on the first syllable) or California city (accented on the second)
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29A. Shower stall?
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31A. Slanted type (Abbr.)
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32A. Get one's feet wet?
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36A. Dir. from St. Paul to Duluth
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37A. Guido ___, Baroque painter from Bologna
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38A. Automates?
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42A. How mashed avocado might be served
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45A. Acquire, in a way
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47A. "Yep, noticed that"
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48A. Battle cry
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49A. PC IDs
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52A. What regular customers pay less for?
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53A. A good Wordle starting word, by the looks of it
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54A. When Memorial Day is observed
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55A. Grim Grimm character
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56A. Trounce
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58A. Bamboozled
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59A. Upscale shirtmaker
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60A. Symbol of the American West
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63A. Former
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65A. Yellow submarine?
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69A. Infantile
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72A. Prepares
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73A. Put on the line?
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77A. Mien
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78A. Surname for a family of fictional Kansans
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80A. One whose pride can be protective
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81A. "___ a stinker?" (Bugs Bunny line)
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82A. Affect emotionally
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84A. Cologne conjunction
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86A. Freight weight
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87A. Stolen base?
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89A. Pelvic parts
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90A. Love, in Lyon
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92A. Bit of flooring for a patio, say
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94A. Blood vessel
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96A. Page (through)
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99A. Org. for pugilists
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100A. Go downhill, in a way
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101A. Pizzeria in “Do the Right Thing”
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102A. Fire starter?
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105A. Showy kind of push-up
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108A. Salty cheese made from sheep's milk
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109A. Creature-friendly org.
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114A. Padlock?
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116A. Confidence men?
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118A. Rock-bottom review
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119A. 1957 #1 hit for Debbie Reynolds
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120A. Demonstrate complete disrespect for, in a way
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121A. What a clear plastic bag is not
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122A. Right now!
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123A. 'Your point being . . .'
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124A. Roxane's beloved, in classic literature
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1D. Roams about
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2D. Entice
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3D. Country with many Farsi speakers
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4D. They often have AAA backing
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5D. Colonial news source
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6D. Iconic role for Harrison Ford
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7D. "You've Really Got ___ on Me" (1960s hit)
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8D. Deck application
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9D. Proverbial slowpoke
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10D. Iconic role for Harrison Ford
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11D. Display amazement, in a way
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12D. Star pitcher
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13D. Mechanism for local funding
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14D. Feature of the tone-deaf
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15D. ___ Linda (San Bernardino suburb)
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16D. Verdon of "Damn Yankees"
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17D. In addition
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19D. Steakhouse orders
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21D. Alternative to a bouncy house
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23D. Direct a smile toward
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27D. Fizzling out
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30D. Erelong
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31D. Skating exhibitions
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32D. "Holy moly!"
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33D. Before, in Bordeaux
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34D. Skin: Prefix
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35D. Misjudgment
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39D. Japanese beer brand
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40D. Crazylegs Hirsch, from 1949 to 1957, informally
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41D. Greta Garbo, by birth
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43D. T-Swift, by another nickname
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44D. Bouncing character in "The House at Pooh Corner"
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46D. Yep's opposite
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50D. Trim
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51D. Seasoning from the ocean
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53D. What some houses are built on
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55D. Cask wood
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57D. Prefix with "form" or "verse"
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60D. Inept sorts
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61D. One source of news
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62D. Burger toppers
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64D. Savings banks
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66D. Lofty
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67D. "Life ___ beach"
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68D. Home for an 80-Across
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69D. Printing technique that uses wax
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70D. Garlicky spread
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71D. Bear
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74D. Packed like sardines, say
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75D. It's a wrap
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76D. Passed, as bad checks
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79D. Brian in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
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81D. Experienced a bit of turnover?
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83D. Mary ___, "The Boating Party" artist
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85D. Sweet, in Seville
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87D. Schmooze
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88D. Back in the day
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90D. Malady?
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91D. Do something because of
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93D. A score
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95D. Pollster Lou or singer Emmylou
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97D. Polar wear
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98D. Discussion sites
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103D. ___ Beach, Calif.
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104D. Hoarse
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105D. Fail to mention
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106D. Intl. group formed in 1949
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107D. Online marketplace with personalized gifts
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108D. (Hey there!)
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110D. Awaken
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111D. Creature-friendly org.
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112D. Prefix in many Ocean Spray drink names
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113D. Regarding
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115D. Reggae relative
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117D. Gamecocks' sch.
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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