NYT Crossword May 31 2026 Answers (5/31/26)

We have all of the answers to the NYT Crossword puzzle for May 31 2026 to help you finish it up!

Our NYT Crossword May 31, 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 31, 2026 Answers

If you need help solving the NYT Crossword on 5/31/26, 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 31, 2026 are also available if you prefer not to be immediately spoiled.

Search
# Clue
1A Sacsayhuamán fortress builders
6A Literary forerunner of Captain Hook
10A Many an Alpha Beta in "Revenge of the Nerds"
14A Help-wanted letters
17A Fermented vegan protein
19A Wrestler/actor John
20A Coin with 12 stars around the border
21A Align
22A Home of the legendary folk hero at 116-Across
24A One involved with checks and balances
26A Without
27A Green spaces
29A Hero of Arabian tales
30A In the past
31A ___ Mahal
32A Expertise demonstrated by 116-Across in a fabled feat of precision
34A Home Run ___ (annual M.L.B. event)
36A D.O.J. agency
39A Fuel-efficient Toyota
40A Main ideas
41A Athletic skill mastered by 116-Across
44A W-9 fig.
45A Banned substance, in sports lingo
46A Diego Rivera project
48A Apt name for a lawyer
49A Laughed loudly
52A N.C.A.A. hoops powerhouse
53A Like the Statue of Liberty at night
55A Beatle who sang "Yellow Submarine"
57A Sailor's septet
60A Go-getter's opposite
62A Through
63A "Drat!," in Dortmund
65A "The Situation Room" airer
66A Chirruping bird
67A Pat down
69A City sobriquet that might describe the target for 116-Across, as depicted in this puzzle
71A Stuff in a puff
72A She-ep?
73A Home to the Burj Khalifa, in brief
74A Appointments that may lead to better contacts
76A Dampens
78A "Whoa, ___!"
80A Bel ___ cheese
81A Instinctive
82A Religious dissent
84A $5 bill, slangily
85A Actress Spacek
87A Negative logic gate in electrical engineering
88A Cartesian conclusion
91A Composer of an overture dedicated to 116-Across
93A Gets lost
96A Came to a conclusion
98A "Doctor ___"
99A Start of an encrypted URL
103A Streaker in the night sky … or a punny description of 116-Across
106A Acid
108A Unprocessed, as data
109A Inspiration for many seasonal festivals
110A Oscar-winning 2019 film directed by Bong Joon Ho
113A Smoke, perhaps
114A What may begin at the end
116A Legendary figure who's the subject of this puzzle
118A Orchard selection
119A Lot calculation
120A "All's well with me"
121A Human
122A Masthead figs.
123A Timid
124A Quibbles
125A Ruses
1D "What a bummer"
2D À la Enya
3D Key with three flats
4D Studios and penthouses: Abbr.
5D "___ me!"
6D Knee parts, for short
7D Part of a track meet
8D Per ___ (accounting term)
9D Undeserved condemnation
10D Watercraft that leave "rooster tails" in their wakes
11D "___ home and native land!"
12D Absolutely whomps, in sports lingo
13D "Bear" that's not a bear
14D Some red wines
15D Smallest quantity of digital data
16D Abandons, as a project
18D Purifying filter acronym
21D Eases
23D Jasmine's tiger companion in "Aladdin"
25D Big name in sewing machines
28D Messes up
31D TV host Banks
33D Longtime jazz bandleader with an Egyptian-inspired name
35D Where Cary Grant orders a Gibson in a classic scene from "North by Northwest"
37D Magnetic unit named for an inventor
38D Productive … or a punny description of the feat performed by 116-Across?
42D Many a liquor license applicant
43D As of now
45D Board game with ancient origins
46D Gooey chocolate dessert
47D Discover
50D Holds forth
51D Tenth, in Latin
54D Small flycatchers named for their call, not their size
55D Bro kin
56D What 116-Across did before and after this puzzle's feat?
58D Dread-full?
59D Popular beverage brand
61D Dr. ___
62D Compete
64D Bad spelling?
66D Lead-in to bones or bucks
68D Sunbeam
70D Abandons a project, slangily
75D "Oy!"
77D Forwarded
79D Full of tall tales
80D It's better than a bogey
83D Team lineup
86D Like most modern TV broadcasts
89D "Money-back guarantee" and "Limited-time offer"
90D Self-referential
92D Conductor Georg
93D Snaky double curve
94D Really irritated
95D Main lines
96D Full
97D Australian city named for a scientist
100D Closely following
101D Gambler's combo bet
102D Waves sought by surfers
104D Five Pillars religion
105D "Spider-Man" director Sam
107D Stitcher's line
111D Tee time or airtime, e.g.
112D Sorts
113D Corner key
115D Toll
117D Bucket list item?

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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