Our NYT Crossword Hints for May 21, 2025 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 21, 2025
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 5/21/25. 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. Word with chocolate or computer
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5A. Thompson or Stone of 2021's "Cruella"
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9A. Fragment
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14A. Sci-fi novel with giant sandworms
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15A. Help for a faltering business
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16A. Type of hunter-gatherer diet
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17A. "Smile for the photo, dude!"
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19A. Able to bend smoothly
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20A. Fragment
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21A. Mythological instruments of vengeance
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22A. Contractor's pipe material, for short
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24A. "Work on your enunciation, bro!"
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26A. Omen
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28A. Little bit of work
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29A. The most beautiful deception of all, per Debussy
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30A. Tedious work
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31A. Much social media humor
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33A. "That is messed up, girl!"
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39A. "___ and foremost..."
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40A. Origin crossers
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42A. Marshland
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45A. Org. whose officers train at Camp Peary
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46A. Cause to jump, say
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49A. "Protect the quarterback, buddy!"
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52A. Pupil's place
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53A. Best way to sing
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54A. What "sostenuto" means in music
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56A. Cuba ___ (drink)
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57A. "That's unbelievable, love!"
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60A. Diarist Nin
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61A. Leave out
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62A. Finger
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63A. Seems to point to
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64A. "Damned if ___ …"
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65A. Put on a schedule
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1D. Atlanta-based govt. agency
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2D. Come again?
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3D. How some funds are held
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4D. What old paint might do
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5D. Smallest three-syllable number
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6D. Tin lizzie
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7D. Language in which "Kia ora" means "Hello"
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8D. Director Lee
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9D. Goes for the expensive option, say
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10D. Sticky, as a situation
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11D. Nissan sedan
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12D. Try again
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13D. "That ___ ring a bell"
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18D. One of two on a record
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21D. Physicist Enrico
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22D. Afterthought's afterthought: Abbr.
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23D. Plug-in Chevy
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25D. Geese formations
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27D. Cry near quittin' time
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31D. Colorado summer hrs.
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32D. Classic cookie cutter shape
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34D. Something feigned by Ferris Bueller to get out of school
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35D. Shoshone, e.g.
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36D. Biblical birthright barterer
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37D. Not from within
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38D. Depend (on)
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41D. Get it
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42D. Forensics HQ in Quantico, Va.
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43D. Cause of some turbulent weather
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44D. "That's halfway decent!"
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46D. Like a good poker face
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47D. Look after
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48D. Cry of frustration
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50D. Marie who is the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different science fields
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51D. Ectoplasmic residue
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55D. Many ages
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57D. 'Mind. Blown.'
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58D. Brooding music genre
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59D. So far
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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