NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 16, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues140
Across64
Down76
TitleTake the Edge Off
Today’s NYT Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
1A
Work parodied by Umberto Eco's "Granita" (6)
Starts with L, ends with ALOLITA→
7A
Subject of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSIN→
10A
One's opponents (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTHEM→
14A
Uncool (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELAME→
18A
Untold (6)
Starts with A, ends with FATONOF→
19A
Down Under runners (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEMUS→
21A
Caramel-filled candy (4)
Starts with R, ends with OROLO→
22A
Word following bear or honey (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTRAP→
23A
_ATSO_ and _EKYL_ (21)
Starts with D, ends with SDOCTORSWITHOUTBORDERS→
27A
Astonished, informally (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSHOOK→
28A
With 45-Across, many a correspondent (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPEN→
29A
Do business (7)
Starts with O, ends with EOPERATE→
30A
Uncle, in Uruguay (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTIO→
31A
Water nymph of Greek myth (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNAIAD→
33A
Poet's Muse (5)
Starts with E, ends with OERATO→
34A
Memorial ___ Kettering (New York City medical facility) (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSLOAN→
36A
_RAVES (19)
Starts with N, ends with NNEEDSNOINTRODUCTION→
41A
It may be petrified (6)
Starts with F, ends with LFOSSIL→
42A
Acknowledge (5)
Starts with N, ends with TNODAT→
43A
El ___, Tex. (4)
Starts with P, ends with OPASO→
45A
See 28-Across (3)
Starts with P, ends with LPAL→
47A
Eggy quaff (3)
Starts with N, ends with GNOG→
48A
Trudge (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPLOD→
50A
Approaching (4)
Starts with N, ends with HNIGH→
54A
Some funerary selections (4)
Starts with U, ends with SURNS→
56A
SAG_ (16)
Starts with N, ends with YNEVERENDINGSTORY→
60A
Stands for speakers (5)
Starts with P, ends with APODIA→
62A
Preserver of freshness (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSEAL→
64A
Place for a sailor's anchor, informally (5)
Starts with B, ends with PBICEP→
70A
Disapproving syllables (4)
Starts with T, ends with STSKS→
72A
It may be mental (5)
Starts with I, ends with EIMAGE→
73A
Out, in a way (6)
Starts with A, ends with PASLEEP→
75A
"That's cool, man" (4)
Starts with I, ends with GIDIG→
77A
Words that may open doors (5)
Starts with I, ends with EITSME→
79A
_NIGHT (16)
Starts with H, ends with NHEADLESSHORSEMAN→
83A
Learning method (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROTE→
87A
Guard, as a goal (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTEND→
88A
Get rid of (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSHED→
89A
"Yadda, yadda" (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
90A
Squeaker … or squealer (3)
Starts with R, ends with TRAT→
92A
Home improvement initials (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDIY→
93A
Italian wine city (4)
Starts with A, ends with IASTI→
95A
Fiber also known as viscose (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRAYON→
97A
Toddler's jumping spot on a rainy day (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPUDDLE→
99A
FRAN_ (19)
Starts with N, ends with TNOTCOMPLETELYHONEST→
104A
More reasonable (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSANER→
105A
Interprets (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREADS→
106A
Suspended musical instruments (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGONGS→
107A
Vein contents (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
111A
Title that becomes loftier when an E is added (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
112A
Escort to a penthouse, say (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSEEUP→
116A
_IALO_ (21)
Starts with U, ends with SUNLIMITEDTALKANDTEXTS→
121A
Carry on (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRANT→
122A
Tender cut (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOIN→
123A
Pie portions, shapewise (6)
Starts with W, ends with SWEDGES→
124A
Crones (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHAGS→
125A
Gas brand that sounds like two letters of the alphabet (4)
Starts with E, ends with OESSO→
126A
Invention originally developed as a yellow dye (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTNT→
127A
Refuse to budge (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINSIST→
Down
1D
Striplings (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLADS→
2D
Texter's "Then again …" (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOTOH→
3D
Bananas (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLOCO→
4D
Chants (7)
Starts with I, ends with SINTONES→
5D
Briefly swam (8)
Starts with T, ends with PTOOKADIP→
6D
Home to more than 1,500 languages: Abbr. (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAFR→
7D
Affixed, as a patch (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSEWEDON→
8D
"Let's do this!" (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIMIN→
9D
Macadamia, for one (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNUT→
10D
Closely following (6)
Starts with T, ends with OTRUETO→
11D
Racing vehicle (6)
Starts with H, ends with DHOTROD→
12D
Napoleon exile site (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELBA→
13D
No longer relevant (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMOOT→
14D
Inc., abroad (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLTD→
15D
Childish comeback (6)
Starts with A, ends with OARETOO→
16D
Maid of Sherwood Forest (6)
Starts with M, ends with NMARIAN→
17D
Many a printer (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEPSON→
20D
Consequences of supply chain problems (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSHORTAGES→
25D
Dizzying gallery works (5)
Starts with O, ends with TOPART→
26D
Pauses while playing (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRESTS→
32D
Treasure or desert follower (6)
Starts with I, ends with DISLAND→
33D
Ewoks' home moon (5)
Starts with E, ends with RENDOR→
35D
Job that may involve jumping through hoops (9)
Starts with L, ends with RLIONTAMER→
36D
Form of detective fiction (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNOIR→
37D
Channel for gaming enthusiasts? (4)
Starts with E, ends with NESPN→
38D
Actress Skye (4)
Starts with I, ends with EIONE→
39D
Words after check, follow or catch (4)
Starts with U, ends with NUPON→
41D
Reason to take a shot (3)
Starts with F, ends with UFLU→
46D
Some odoriferous gifts (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLEIS→
48D
Smartphone predecessors, for short (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPDAS→
49D
Female rapper with a longtime feud with Foxy Brown (6)
Starts with L, ends with MLILKIM→
51D
"Diminutive" Greek letter (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOTA→
52D
Nickname that omits "-ory" (4)
Starts with G, ends with GGREG→
53D
London park (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHYDE→
55D
Chemistry test? (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESPEEDDATE→
57D
Travel bag (6)
Starts with V, ends with EVALISE→
59D
Not very favorable, as some 84-Down (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSLIM→
61D
Car with a stylized lightning bolt logo (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOPEL→
64D
Thai money (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBAHT→
65D
"Gotcha" (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISEE→
66D
Group with a tartan (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCLAN→
68D
It may drive one to distraction, in brief (4)
Starts with A, ends with DADHD→
69D
Thumbnail, maybe (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBIO→
71D
A-lister (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTAR→
74D
Sauce traditionally made in a mortar (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPESTO→
76D
Steal (9)
Starts with G, ends with LGREATDEAL→
78D
Attach with a click (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSNAPON→
80D
Carpenter's spacer (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSHIM→
81D
Ophthalmology concerns (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTYES→
82D
Green sci. (4)
Starts with E, ends with LECOL→
84D
2 to 5, say (4)
Starts with O, ends with SODDS→
85D
Infraction at an arcade (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTILT→
86D
___ of Horus (Egyptian symbol of healing) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEYE→
91D
Element used in bulb filaments (8)
Starts with T, ends with NTUNGSTEN→
94D
"Shoo!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSCRAM→
95D
Display some emotion, perhaps (5)
Starts with R, ends with TREACT→
96D
Member of the N.F.L.'s "Big Blue," in brief (7)
Starts with N, ends with TNYGIANT→
98D
Prepares to puree, perhaps, as papayas (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDESEEDS→
99D
Fantasy realm ruled by King Caspian (6)
Starts with N, ends with ANARNIA→
100D
Feature of Anthony Robles, a 2011 N.C.A.A. national champion wrestler (6)
Starts with O, ends with GONELEG→
101D
Shows pride in one's appearance, in a way (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPREENS→
102D
Result in (6)
Starts with L, ends with OLEADTO→
103D
Producer of a call to arms (4)
Starts with H, ends with NHORN→
104D
Go ___ (fail) (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSOUTH→
110D
School grps. (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPTAS→
114D
Western Indians (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUTES→
115D
Subtle summons (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
117D
Fingers (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIDS→
118D
Park place? (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLOT→
119D
Road recklessness of a sort, for short (3)
Starts with D, ends with IDWI→
How to solve the NYT Crossword
Fill the grid so that every Across and Down answer matches its clue. Numbered squares mark where answers begin. Theme answers, usually the longest entries, share a twist that the puzzle's title or a revealer clue explains. Thursday puzzles are known for rebus squares and other tricks that bend the normal rules.
Want the full method? Read our NYT Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the NYT Crossword on the hub.
NYT Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Start with Monday-level clues. Even on a Saturday, a handful of clues are straightforward. Find them and build outward from the crossings.
- Hunt for the revealer. A clue that references other entries or ends in "?" often explains the theme. Solving it first unlocks the long answers.
- Respect the day of the week. Thursday means tricks like rebus squares; Friday and Saturday mean long, clever fill with misleading clues.
Done for today? Try The Mini, The Midi, LA Times Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous NYT Crossword puzzles
NYT Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the NYT Crossword for August 16, 2026?+
140 clues: 64 Across and 76 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Sam Brody and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Work parodied by Umberto Eco's "Granita" (LOLITA); Subject of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" (SIN); One's opponents (THEM).
What time does the NYT Crossword come out?+
The next day's puzzle is released at 10:00 pm Eastern Time Monday to Friday and at 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Where can I find past NYT Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all Across and Down answers, plus a page for each clue. Click any date above.
