NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 18, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
ConstructorErik Agard
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
"Ruh-___!" (Astro's "Yikes!") (3)
Starts with R, ends with HROH→
4A
Got 100% on (4)
Starts with A, ends with DACED→
8A
Catastrophe (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCRISIS→
14A
918 or 539, on the Cherokee Nation (8)
Starts with A, ends with EAREACODE→
16A
Emphatic rejection (6)
Starts with H, ends with OHECKNO→
17A
"Seriously?!" (15)
Starts with I, ends with UICANTBELIEVEYOU→
19A
Word after first or leading (4)
Starts with L, ends with YLADY→
20A
Indirectly unkind (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESNIDE→
21A
Identity thieves' targets, for short (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSSNS→
22A
Bit of hair cream (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDAB→
24A
"Enough already! I'll do it!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with KOKOK→
26A
Purveyor of pampering (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
28A
Kennewick ___ (ancient ancestor discovered in 1996) (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMAN→
31A
Duel units (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPACES→
35A
Relations (3)
Starts with K, ends with NKIN→
36A
"Seriously?!" (11)
Starts with W, ends with TWHODOESTHAT→
40A
What a wool sweater may cause (4)
Starts with I, ends with HITCH→
42A
Calendar listing (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEVENT→
43A
Currency common to Cyprus and Croatia (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEURO→
44A
"Seriously?!" (11)
Starts with T, ends with YTHEAUDACITY→
47A
Part of a set in a workout (3)
Starts with R, ends with PREP→
48A
Damascus is its capital (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASYRIA→
49A
___ kwon do (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETAE→
50A
Music holders in racks (3)
Starts with C, ends with SCDS→
51A
Take it easy (4)
Starts with R, ends with TREST→
54A
"not gonna lie lol ..." (3)
Starts with T, ends with HTBH→
56A
Opportunity (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSHOT→
59A
Jingly change (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOINS→
63A
___ Major (bear constellation) (4)
Starts with U, ends with AURSA→
66A
"Seriously?!" (15)
Starts with W, ends with WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOW→
69A
Intensifies (6)
Starts with A, ends with PAMPSUP→
70A
Mode of transportation that requires good balance (8)
Starts with U, ends with EUNICYCLE→
71A
Loch monster's nickname (6)
Starts with N, ends with ENESSIE→
72A
Found a buyer for (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSOLD→
73A
Ends of some bouts (3)
Starts with K, ends with SKOS→
Down
1D
___ trail (rhyming path that formerly had tracks) (4)
Starts with R, ends with LRAIL→
2D
Oceanic apex predator (4)
Starts with O, ends with AORCA→
3D
Important powwow figure (10)
Starts with H, ends with RHEADDANCER→
4D
Section of a play (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
5D
Corn cores (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCOBS→
6D
Garden with a tempting snake (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
7D
Section of a supermarket (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDELI→
8D
Place for blush (or for a blush) (5)
Starts with C, ends with KCHEEK→
9D
Title for M.L.K., for short (3)
Starts with R, ends with VREV→
10D
Glide around on a rink (8)
Starts with I, ends with EICESKATE→
11D
"The ___ the limit!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSKYS→
12D
Privy to (4)
Starts with I, ends with NINON→
13D
___-chef (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSOUS→
15D
"Furiosa" star Taylor-Joy (4)
Starts with A, ends with AANYA→
18D
Altar answer (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIDO→
23D
X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 or X6 (3)
Starts with B, ends with WBMW→
25D
Photo ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOPS→
26D
Short comedy pieces (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSKITS→
27D
Clever and brief (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPITHY→
29D
Palestinian activist Tamimi (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAHED→
30D
___ Scotia (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANOVA→
32D
New Mexico site of the largest radioactive accident in U.S. history (10)
Starts with C, ends with KCHURCHROCK→
33D
Dog-___ pages (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEARED→
34D
Points on bus routes (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTOPS→
37D
Fourth after Aug. (3)
Starts with D, ends with CDEC→
38D
"Will do!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with TONIT→
39D
"At Last" singer James (4)
Starts with E, ends with AETTA→
41D
Move that sends tresses flying (8)
Starts with H, ends with SHAIRTOSS→
45D
Where Dubai is: Abbr. (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUAE→
46D
So far (3)
Starts with Y, ends with TYET→
52D
Extent, as of a project (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCOPE→
53D
Overly (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTOO→
55D
Nautical marker (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBUOY→
56D
Black and/or white water bird (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSWAN→
57D
Away's opponent (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOME→
58D
*sheepish grimace* (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOOPS→
60D
Ones vowing payback? (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIOUS→
61D
Don't-do (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONONO→
62D
Gardener's bagful (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSOIL→
64D
Unassisted (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOLO→
65D
Amazes (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAWES→
67D
Dijon-mustered "yes"? (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOUI→
68D
Something Paxil may treat, for short (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOCD→
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 February 18, 2025?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Erik Agard and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: "Ruh-___!" (Astro's "Yikes!") (ROH); Got 100% on (ACED); Catastrophe (CRISIS).
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.
