Our NYT Crossword Hints for May 23, 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 23, 2026
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 5/23/26. 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. They might be settled atop stools
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8A. Shell, say
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13A. Places to put fliers
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15A. Surgical specialty, informally
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16A. A boxer's might knock you out
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18A. Substitute for "etc."
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19A. Begrudges
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20A. Old auto company based in Lansing, Mich.
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22A. Jazz drummer DeRosa
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23A. One of the seven depicted in the 1995 thriller "Se7en"
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24A. Daytime regulars
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26A. What some prisoners earn, in brief
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27A. Old black-and-white police autos, to Brits
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28A. ___ weekend
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29A. Walk on water?
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30A. Top that screams "Look at me!"
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31A. Clay-and-calcium-carbonate mix used in cement making
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32A. Lovely
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35A. Chess puzzle challenge, maybe
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36A. Make do
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37A. Many an epithet
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38A. Common con game
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39A. Petite ___ (certain French partner)
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40A. Epithet lead-in
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41A. Bit of back-and-forth
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42A. Farrow with a Pulitzer for his investigative journalism
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44A. Eerie substance faked in 19th-century ghost hoaxes
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46A. Bygone leaders
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47A. Tourist nickname for a Southern mecca, to the chagrin of many locals
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48A. Until, in Uruguay
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49A. Destination for wagons, once
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1D. No-goodniks
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2D. Sales job that Forbes magazine once dubbed "the original side hustle," informally
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3D. Ancient collection of Hindu hymns
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4D. Pampers
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5D. Handled something poorly, say
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6D. Gets even with
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7D. Tac preceder
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8D. At least one
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9D. Substance that undergoes change, as in a lab
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10D. Magpie lookalike with black-and-white plumage
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11D. Bosses (around)
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12D. Gads about
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14D. Figurative ability to withstand almost anything
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17D. Canal blocker?
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21D. Milky and iridescent
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24D. Lizard predator of Africa
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25D. 'Close call!'
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27D. Swedish American model Porizkova
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29D. Edward who wrote and illustrated "The Gashlycrumb Tinies"
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30D. Foam designs, perhaps
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31D. Berth places
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32D. 19th-century German novelist Theodor
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33D. Stressors for some H.S. seniors
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34D. Accessory on a pub counter
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35D. Brunch beverage
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36D. Standard 1L course, informally
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37D. Title for some fictional lords
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38D. Sugar ___
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41D. Choice for the undecided
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43D. Org. with a "Cryptographic Support Services" page on its website
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45D. Little squirt
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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