NYT Crossword May 23 2026 Answers (5/23/26)

Our NYT Crossword May 23, 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 23, 2026 Answers

If you need help solving the NYT Crossword on 5/23/26, 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 23, 2026 are also available if you prefer not to be immediately spoiled.

« May 22 2026 Answers

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

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.

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.