NYT Crossword May 18 2026 Answers (5/18/26)

We have all of the answers to the NYT Crossword puzzle for May 18 2026 to help you finish it up!

Our NYT Crossword May 18, 2026 answers guide should help you finish today’s crossword if you’ve found yourself stuck on a crossword clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily puzzle 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 New York Times and is also available online.

NYT Crossword May 18, 2026 Answers

If you need help solving the NYT Crossword on 5/18/26, we’ve listed all of the crossword clues below so you can find the answer(s) you need. You can search for the clue and then select the appropriate clue to get the answer. We have done it this way so that if you’re just looking for a handful of clues, you won’t spoil other ones you’re working on!

Looking for answers to another NYT Crossword puzzle? Check out our archive of NYT Crossword Answers. Our NYT Crossword Hints for May 18, 2026 are also available if you prefer not to be immediately spoiled.

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

More NYT Crossword Answers

If you’re looking for solutions from other puzzles, check out:

You can also browse our full NYT Crossword Answers archive for even more puzzles!

We also recommend trying your hand at the NYT Mini Crossword, which is definitely easier (on all days!) as it is 5×5, compared to the full‑sized New York Times Crossword (which is 15×15, and the Sunday edition is 21×21!). If you want something in between, the NYT Midi Crossword offers between a 9×9 and 11×11 grid with a medium‑level challenge that bridges the gap between the Mini and the full puzzle—making it a great option for players looking to level up. 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.

Interior Nyt Crossword 002

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.

NYT Crossword (Main Grid)
Image via NYT Crossword

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.

Christine Mielke

Christine Mielke

Christine Mielke has been an avid fan of word games and puzzles for over two decades. She loves to unscramble words, challenge herself to crossword puzzles and try out the latest word games. As a published author and database architect, it was natural for her to take her love for all things word games to the next level!

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