NYT Crossword hints and answer for March 14, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across35
Down35
ConstructorKameron Austin Collins
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
Behave like an ass (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBRAY→
5A
18th-century British P.M. William Pitt, e.g. (4)
Starts with W, ends with GWHIG→
9A
Come back (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRECUR→
14A
Recipient of a key to the city, say (9)
Starts with L, ends with OLOCALHERO→
16A
Shocked ... shocked! (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGAPE→
17A
Like Thunderdell, the monster slain by Jack the Giant Killer (9)
Starts with T, ends with DTWOHEADED→
18A
Des'ree's "You ___ Be" (5)
Starts with G, ends with AGOTTA→
19A
Mottled (6)
Starts with B, ends with YBLOTTY→
20A
Sch. whose symbol is the Native American war leader Osceola (3)
Starts with F, ends with UFSU→
22A
Title role for Paul Newman, 1963 (3)
Starts with H, ends with DHUD→
23A
41-Across maker (6)
Starts with T, ends with ATOYOTA→
24A
Top option (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETEE→
25A
Sporting blades (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOARS→
26A
Flutters (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBATS→
27A
Jewelry that may double as a fastener (9)
Starts with B, ends with NBREASTPIN→
30A
"Aliens ___ My Homework," children's comedy/sci-fi book by Bruce Coville (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
31A
007 feature of 1979 (9)
Starts with M, ends with RMOONRAKER→
32A
Writer of the 1969 hit "The Boxer" (9)
Starts with P, ends with NPAULSIMON→
33A
Hip places? (9)
Starts with B, ends with SBELTLINES→
34A
Bosom buddy (3)
Starts with B, ends with FBFF→
37A
They croak as soon as they grow up (9)
Starts with P, ends with SPOLLIWOGS→
38A
Go bad (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSOUR→
39A
Easy gait (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTROT→
40A
"Some rise by ___, and some by virtue fall": Shak. (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSIN→
41A
23-Across debut of 1999 (6)
Starts with T, ends with ATUNDRA→
43A
Deep-frying vessel (3)
Starts with W, ends with KWOK→
44A
Many an "SVU" extra (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
45A
Displays with variety (6)
Starts with A, ends with SARRAYS→
46A
Following closely behind (5)
Starts with I, ends with WINTOW→
48A
Where travelers might take the plunge on vacation (9)
Starts with H, ends with LHOTELPOOL→
52A
Inner tube? (9)
Starts with I, ends with EINTESTINE→
53A
Takes a hit (5)
Starts with T, ends with STOKES→
54A
Baby bottle component (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTEAT→
55A
U Beauty competitor (4)
Starts with O, ends with YOLAY→
Down
1D
Counter order (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBLT→
2D
Subject of outdoor paintings by Renoir, Monet and Homer (7)
Starts with R, ends with TROWBOAT→
3D
Follower (7)
Starts with A, ends with EACOLYTE→
4D
Vulgarians (6)
Starts with Y, ends with SYAHOOS→
5D
Some deflections for argument's sake (12)
Starts with W, ends with MWHATABOUTISM→
6D
"Bombshell: The ___ Lamarr Story" (2017 documentary) (4)
Starts with H, ends with YHEDY→
7D
Hotness (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIRE→
8D
Really, really believing (10)
Starts with G, ends with GGODFEARING→
9D
Classic meat sauce (4)
Starts with R, ends with URAGU→
10D
Freudian origin of defense mechanisms (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEGO→
11D
Strands from the litter? (7)
Starts with C, ends with RCATHAIR→
12D
Rise on the market (6)
Starts with U, ends with NUPTURN→
13D
Auditions (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREADS→
15D
Latvian, old-style (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLETT→
21D
Noted series with over 200 Emmys … and an Oscar (12)
Starts with S, ends with TSESAMESTREET→
23D
Letters for those awaiting specifics (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATBA→
24D
Something cut or defused (7)
Starts with T, ends with NTENSION→
25D
Ready for business (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOPEN→
28D
Just go along (10)
Starts with R, ends with TROLLWITHIT→
29D
Ring stats (4)
Starts with T, ends with STKOS→
31D
Promenade (4)
Starts with M, ends with LMALL→
32D
Tanning target (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPELT→
33D
Social media community for avid readers (7)
Starts with B, ends with KBOOKTOK→
34D
Shimmering substance in the skin-care aisle (7)
Starts with B, ends with LBODYOIL→
35D
Animal identity in role play (7)
Starts with F, ends with AFURSONA→
36D
Title for a holy person (3)
Starts with F, ends with AFRA→
37D
Lickety-split (6)
Starts with P, ends with OPRONTO→
38D
Become suddenly awake and focused (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSNAPTO→
39D
Distort (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTWIST→
42D
Address strings (4)
Starts with U, ends with SURLS→
44D
Farm females (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEWES→
45D
Flour used to make paratha (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
47D
Raw material (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
49D
All together (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
50D
Law of La Mancha (3)
Starts with L, ends with YLEY→
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 March 14, 2026?+
70 clues: 35 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kameron Austin Collins and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Behave like an ass (BRAY); 18th-century British P.M. William Pitt, e.g. (WHIG); Come back (RECUR).
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.
