Our NYT Crossword Hints for May 20, 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 20, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 5/20/26. 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. Establishment that serves zombies, perhaps
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8A. Adorn with raised lettering
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14A. "Drink" for vocal critics
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15A. European city that "waits for you," in a Billy Joel tune
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16A. Nontraditional time for voting someone into office
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18A. Redding who sang "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
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19A. God played by Anthony Hopkins in Marvel movies
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20A. Church cross
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21A. Florence-based fashion house
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24A. Takes back a public statement
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26A. What a waiter might offer to start you off
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29A. Make a boo-boo?
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30A. ___ contendere (court plea)
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31A. Spud
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35A. Biting
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37A. ___ Kippur
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39A. Actress Bow of the silent film era
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40A. Light show tool
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41A. TV personality Kotb
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43A. Clan
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44A. Bit of movie magic
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48A. "Essential" product used as an anti-acne treatment
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51A. Take ___ of faith
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52A. Place for a seafood dinner
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53A. Classic Pontiacs
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55A. Arcing tennis shots
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58A. Condescending rhetorical question … or what you might say about 16-, 26- and 44-Across?
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62A. John in the sketch "The Fish-Slapping Dance"
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63A. "Seems right," folksily
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64A. Words a teenager might say with an eye roll
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65A. Says OK
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1D. Mustachioed president who succeeded another mustachioed president in 1909
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2D. "Don't know why I thought any different!"
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3D. Gets hyped
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4D. Fury
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5D. Farmyard bleat
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6D. With deftness
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7D. Clarinet for one
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8D. Made level
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9D. Careful, this might be hot!
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10D. Act of Judas
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11D. Word with ring or roll
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12D. Hoity-toity one
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13D. Smooths, in a way
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14D. "___ boy!"
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17D. Old Italian money
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22D. Musical notation that means "with vigor"
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23D. Boardroom bigwig, in brief
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25D. Spot to drink a matcha with a Manx
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26D. Ocean prey for a 27-Down
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27D. Ocean predator of a 26-Down
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28D. Big to-do
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32D. Be in charge, informally
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33D. Protagonist of "That ’70s Show"
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34D. Speech full of invective
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36D. Went back (to), as a prior state
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38D. Epitome of slowness
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42D. Director Guillermo ____ Toro
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45D. Expressed frustration, maybe
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46D. Beauty company whose Nasdaq ticker symbol is its name
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47D. Atlanta athlete
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48D. Risqué
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49D. Walkway for newlyweds
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50D. They're part of what makes you you
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54D. "___ Noche en Miami" (Bad Bunny song)
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56D. Low voice
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57D. ___-mo
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59D. Org. whose staffers wear royal blue uniforms
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60D. Lenovo products, informally
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61D. Just get (by)
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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