NYT Crossword May 21 2026 Answers (5/21/26)

We have all of the answers to the NYT Crossword puzzle for May 21 2026 to help you finish it up!

Our NYT Crossword May 21, 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 21, 2026 Answers

If you need help solving the NYT Crossword on 5/21/26, 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 21, 2026 are also available if you prefer not to be immediately spoiled.

Search
# Clue
1A Gossiped-about duo
5A River whose southernmost source is found in Burundi
9A Animal that expresses anger by spitting
14A Curbside call
15A Egg's outline
16A Traditional Vietnamese garment whose name means "long shirt"
17A 2000 Eminem single with lines from his "biggest fan"
18A St. Benedict, for one
19A Central meeting points
20A timiL
23A 50¢ or $1: Abbr.
24A Fish more formally known as a batomorph
25A Capital of Portugal, to natives
29A Crown of jewels
31A Penultimate Greek letter
33A One of four seen on Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man"
34A Goat's cry
35A Golfer's suppor-
38A Move like a fox
40A Get a lode of this!
41A John from Britain
42A Evade
44A "Bad" beginning
45A Like news that everyone already knows
46A Legal boundaries?
47A Kind of cat with a black-and-white coat
50A More melted, as a marshmallow
53A Tree alongside a ski run
54A Bro, e.g.
55A P | u | n | c | h | e | s
59A Sound of a perfect basketball shot
62A "Beware the ___ of a patient man": John Dryden
63A Ordered
64A Increase, as interest
65A German Ms.
66A Pupil's surroundings
67A Environmentalist Adams
68A Site for many stars?
69A Sounds of disapproval
1D Short negative review
2D Floor covering in a Japanese tearoom
3D "Bingo!"
4D Stole material
5D Southern denial
6D Something tickled on a piano
7D "Buy ___. They're not making it anymore" (old saying)
8D Philanthropic group with a clock face in its logo
9D The so-called "Pineapple Isle"
10D Goes around and around
11D Make sense, with "up"
12D "Maggie ___," classic folk song covered by the Beatles
13D ChatGPT, Claude, etc.
21D Inflicts
22D Muse of history
26D Lasting damage from a tough experience, metaphorically
27D Milkshake flavor
28D Gospel shout
30D "Fountain of Milk Spreading Itself Uselessly on Three Shoes" painter, 1945
31D Contented sounds
32D "Changed my mind," in editing notation
35D Curl
36D Hip-knee connectors
37D Source of linseed oil
38D It's all a haze
39D Drug bust unit
43D Model Miranda
47D Make neat
48D Large-eyed African antelope with a duplicative name
49D Fixate
51D Give out
52D Neighbor of Ricky and Lucy, on 1950s TV
53D Far from house-trained
56D Dodgy
57D 100%
58D End piece?
59D Belinda's business on "The White Lotus"
60D Prevail
61D Some test figs.

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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