NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 24, 2025
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
Course on behavior, for short (5)
Starts with P, ends with HPSYCH→
6A
Song and dance (10)
Starts with R, ends with ERIGAMAROLE→
16A
Lyrical piece (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEPODE→
17A
Like many jobs for recent grads (10)
Starts with E, ends with LENTRYLEVEL→
18A
Feeling described as "hoping for the best, but fearing the worst" (16)
Starts with C, ends with MCAUTIOUSOPTIMISM→
20A
"That stings!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with WOWW→
21A
Becomes inoperable, in a way (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRUSTS→
22A
Sources of wind sounds (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREEDS→
23A
Neck, in Newcastle (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSNOG→
25A
Scuttlebutt, these days (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
26A
Said, informally (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWENT→
27A
Places for change (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPURSES→
29A
Magic center, familiarly (4)
Starts with S, ends with QSHAQ→
30A
Certain digital denizen (3)
Starts with S, ends with MSIM→
33A
Share the spotlight (6)
Starts with C, ends with DCOLEAD→
34A
Creature that returns to the beach where it was born for laying eggs (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESEATURTLE→
36A
Pixel-dense, for short (5)
Starts with H, ends with FHIDEF→
37A
Quickly (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSTAT→
38A
Lousy pair to choose from (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEVILS→
39A
Infamous denier of Mary and Joseph (9)
Starts with I, ends with RINNKEEPER→
42A
Esq., often (3)
Starts with A, ends with TATT→
43A
Rock band founded by three sisters (4)
Starts with H, ends with MHAIM→
44A
"Hey ___!" (Nickelodeon cartoon of 1996-2004) (6)
Starts with A, ends with DARNOLD→
45A
Data command (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSORT→
46A
Whatever (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
47A
Digital recording pioneer (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTIVO→
49A
"Yeah, sure" (5)
Starts with U, ends with HUHHUH→
51A
Producers of some waves (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSINES→
53A
Letters for the dearly departed (3)
Starts with R, ends with PRIP→
54A
Positive result of having 18-Across, perhaps (16)
Starts with P, ends with EPLEASANTSURPRISE→
57A
"Don't expect that from me" (10)
Starts with I, ends with LINEVERWILL→
58A
Let up (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEASED→
59A
Charges that vary between states (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSALESTAXES→
60A
Culls, with "out" (5)
Starts with W, ends with SWEEDS→
Down
1D
River that once marked the boundary of the Wild West (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPECOS→
2D
Location where a video game character starts (or restarts) a level (10)
Starts with S, ends with TSPAWNPOINT→
3D
Incredulous reply to a daring scheme (10)
Starts with Y, ends with TYOUWOULDNT→
4D
Summer hrs. in Iowa (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCDT→
5D
Mary I, to Henry VIII (4)
Starts with H, ends with RHEIR→
6D
Finds another purpose for (6)
Starts with R, ends with SREUSES→
7D
Quick start? (5)
Starts with I, ends with AINSTA→
8D
Old muscle cars (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGTOS→
9D
"Human Concretion" sculptor (3)
Starts with A, ends with PARP→
10D
Nice thing to hear from one's dining partner (7)
Starts with M, ends with TMYTREAT→
11D
Xenomorph who can produce humanoid offspring (10)
Starts with A, ends with NALIENQUEEN→
12D
Held another session (5)
Starts with R, ends with TREMET→
13D
Younger contemporary of Virgil (4)
Starts with O, ends with DOVID→
15D
Water-resistant wood (3)
Starts with E, ends with MELM→
19D
Exposed (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOUTED→
24D
Xi's language (5)
Starts with G, ends with KGREEK→
26D
"You did ___?!" (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWHAT→
28D
Shelters from the heat? (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSAFEHOUSES→
30D
31D
Not recommended (10)
Starts with I, ends with DILLADVISED→
32D
Eton ___ (traditional English dessert) (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMESS→
33D
Smoothie seed (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACHIA→
34D
A flute might have a short one (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEM→
35D
Place for a camper (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRVLOT→
37D
Implement at a roast (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSPIT→
40D
Aviation legend (7)
Starts with E, ends with TEARHART→
41D
Word with air or deep (5)
Starts with F, ends with RFRYER→
44D
Undoes, in court (6)
Starts with A, ends with SANNULS→
45D
Manscape, perhaps (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHAVE→
46D
Proverbial thing to cross, in politics (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAISLE→
48D
One-sided columns (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOPEDS→
49D
Radius neighbor (4)
Starts with U, ends with AULNA→
50D
Direction for a dog (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHEEL→
51D
Thin rods, in some product names (4)
Starts with S, ends with XSTIX→
52D
Send flying (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSPEW→
54D
Magnum and Spade, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPIS→
55D
Music group co-founded by Dr. Dre (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANWA→
56D
Social media star Addison ___ (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERAE→
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 24, 2025?+
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: Course on behavior, for short (PSYCH); Song and dance (RIGAMAROLE); Lyrical piece (EPODE).
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.
