NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 22, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues75
Across35
Down40
ConstructorGene Louise De Vera
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
Guns, so to speak (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBICEPS→
7A
Prefix with American (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMESO→
11A
Charcuterie spread (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBRIE→
15A
Footnote phrase (6)
Starts with E, ends with IETALII→
16A
Sherwood, e.g. (9)
Starts with O, ends with TOAKFOREST→
18A
Qualifier to an embarrassing question (16)
Starts with A, ends with DASKINGFORAFRIEND→
20A
Location for some osteoarthritis (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
21A
___-Saint-Michel (French commune on a tidal island) (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMONT→
23A
Sign of desperation (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
24A
Consider as one's residence (8)
Starts with C, ends with ECALLHOME→
27A
Mrs. Addams, to Mr. Addams (4)
Starts with T, ends with HTISH→
29A
Val who played Iceman in "Top Gun" (6)
Starts with K, ends with RKILMER→
30A
Guimarães greeting (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOLA→
33A
"Neato!" (6)
Starts with O, ends with LOHCOOL→
35A
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" character ___ Linetti (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGINA→
36A
Genre for Blackpink and Twice (4)
Starts with K, ends with PKPOP→
37A
Counteract negativity using lavish generosity (16)
Starts with K, ends with SKILLWITHKINDNESS→
40A
Former boy band with the members Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn, familiarly (4)
Starts with O, ends with DONED→
41A
Bit of marginalia (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOTE→
42A
Dealt with (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSEENTO→
43A
Weight plate units: Abbr. (3)
Starts with K, ends with SKGS→
44A
Place to get "pawmpered," say (6)
Starts with P, ends with APETSPA→
46A
Case for military police (4)
Starts with A, ends with LAWOL→
47A
Like the Millennium Problems of the Clay Mathematics Institute (8)
Starts with U, ends with DUNSOLVED→
49A
Suffix with peace but not war (3)
Starts with F, ends with LFUL→
51A
Philosopher William of ___ (5)
Starts with O, ends with MOCCAM→
55A
Product for manscaping (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNAIR→
56A
Assuming that (4)
Starts with I, ends with OIFSO→
57A
More sizzle than steak (16)
Starts with A, ends with EALLBARKANDNOBITE→
61A
Infamous chess trap that ends the game in two moves (9)
Starts with F, ends with EFOOLSMATE→
62A
Contents of a kitchen rack (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPICES→
63A
Bump on a lid (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESTYE→
64A
Thin board (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSLAT→
65A
What some streakers are charged with? (6)
Starts with T, ends with STASERS→
Down
1D
Woodpeckers' peckers (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBEAKS→
2D
"Really, my pleasure" (10)
Starts with I, ends with GITSNOTHING→
3D
"Sticky" birthday treats? (10)
Starts with C, ends with SCAKESICLES→
4D
Tahari or Saab of fashion (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELIE→
5D
Blame (on) (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPIN→
6D
Symbol used in summation (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASIGMA→
7D
Classical piece said to be the inspiration for Chopin's "Fantaisie-Impromptu" (15)
Starts with M, ends with AMOONLIGHTSONATA→
8D
Kepler-22b or Kepler-186f, e.g. (15)
Starts with E, ends with TEARTHLIKEPLANET→
9D
Calypso cousin (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASKA→
10D
Flat, say (3)
Starts with O, ends with FOFF→
12D
Highlight ___ (4)
Starts with R, ends with LREEL→
13D
___ fussy (can be very flexible) (4)
Starts with I, ends with TISNT→
14D
Some airport data, in brief (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETDS→
17D
Carnivora or Lagomorpha (5)
Starts with O, ends with RORDER→
19D
Word with rock or medicine (4)
Starts with F, ends with KFOLK→
24D
When doubled, a fluffy Chinese dog (4)
Starts with C, ends with WCHOW→
25D
Hilton competitor (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
28D
Went (for) (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSOLD→
30D
Workplace with few barriers (10)
Starts with O, ends with EOPENOFFICE→
31D
Became tarnished (10)
Starts with L, ends with RLOSTLUSTER→
32D
Lhasa ___ (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAPSO→
33D
"I heard you the first time! Geez!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with KOKOK→
34D
Wrapping material in mummification (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLINEN→
36D
Had no doubt (4)
Starts with K, ends with WKNEW→
38D
Deep-fried side dish, familiarly (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOTS→
39D
Unexciting, as a party (4)
Starts with D, ends with DDEAD→
44D
Catamounts (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPUMAS→
45D
Like some readers (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAVID→
48D
Young's partner in accounting (5)
Starts with E, ends with TERNST→
50D
Rich soil deposit (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOESS→
52D
Stop the bleeding, say (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCLOT→
53D
Sicken with sweetness (4)
Starts with C, ends with YCLOY→
56D
Sacred bird to the Egyptians (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIBIS→
58D
Info on Zillow: Abbr. (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRMS→
59D
___-El (Superman) (3)
Starts with K, ends with LKAL→
60D
Shout at a Greek wedding (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOPA→
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 May 22, 2026?+
75 clues: 35 Across and 40 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Gene Louise De Vera and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Guns, so to speak (BICEPS); Prefix with American (MESO); Charcuterie spread (BRIE).
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.
