Our NYT Crossword Hints for May 18, 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 18, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 5/18/26. 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. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout
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5A. Luxury handbag brand
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10A. Petri dish gel
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14A. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024
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15A. Stereotypical meal for a college student
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16A. Veni, ___, vici
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17A. Like the Code of Hammurabi
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19A. Enterprise rival
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20A. Got to one's feet
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21A. Elmer's product
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23A. "There's a cockroach!"
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24A. Patch up some clothes say
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25A. Pioneering hybrid car
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29A. Pouty expression
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30A. Future atty.'s exam
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31A. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie"
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34A. Tackling of the quarterback
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37A. Nebraska's largest city
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40A. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe
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43A. Fibrous part of broccoli
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44A. Nothin'
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45A. Cool, slangily
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46A. "___ Calm and Carry On"
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48A. Region
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50A. Gardeners tool
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54A. Kit ___ bar
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57A. Woodcutter's tool
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58A. Beauty queen’s accessory
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59A. Garlicky condiment
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61A. Eye irritation
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63A. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across
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66A. ___ leches cake
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67A. Oopsie*
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68A. Lotion ingredient
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69A. Toward sunrise
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70A. 'Same!'
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71A. Stereotypically antisocial pets
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1D. Large brass instruments
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2D. "You have my sympathy"
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3D. Macaroni shape
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4D. 14 of these make up a fortnight
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5D. Con's opposite
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6D. Sprinted
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7D. Friend in Mexico
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8D. Gave out cards
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9D. Zinnia or sunflower
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10D. Director DuVernay
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11D. Attempt something
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12D. “Au revoir!”
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13D. Puts on the line
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18D. Oscar winner Jared
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22D. English town famous for its salts
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26D. Throw out of office
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27D. Long for
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28D. Holiday Inn competitor
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29D. Sent by post
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31D. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief
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32D. Puppy school command
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33D. Roll of two ones
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35D. "Ta-ta," in a text
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36D. Camera company known for its "moments"
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38D. With it
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39D. Unreturned serve
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41D. Distorts, as data
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42D. Ticket price
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47D. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example
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49D. Chapters of history
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50D. Squander
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51D. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang
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52D. Houston baseballer
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53D. Swiss ___ (salad green)
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54D. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear"
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55D. Apportion
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56D. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game
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60D. Apple desktop
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62D. Superlative suffix
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64D. Down Under bounder, for short
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65D. Prefix between bi- and tetra-
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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