NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 9, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across33
Down39
ConstructorWilla Angel Chen Miller and Erik 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
Walks softly (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPADS→
5A
Impossible to contact by ordinary means (10)
Starts with O, ends with DOFFTHEGRID→
15A
"___, sing America" (4)
Starts with I, ends with OITOO→
16A
Feature focused on investigation and resolution (10)
Starts with C, ends with ACRIMEDRAMA→
18A
Downward-facing dog? (10)
Starts with C, ends with RCANISMAJOR→
19A
___ text (label for a screen reader) (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
20A
___ Robert Jr., 2020 Gold Glove Award winner (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLUIS→
21A
Encrust (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAKE→
22A
What might be caught Red-handed? (7)
Starts with F, ends with LFLYBALL→
24A
Cracker topper (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBRIE→
28A
Popular vacation spot (8)
Starts with S, ends with ESEASHORE→
32A
Talks up (5)
Starts with T, ends with STOUTS→
33A
It's not worth what it seems (9)
Starts with P, ends with YPLAYMONEY→
34A
Kick out (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOUST→
35A
Roughly 62% of its claimed territory is in Antarctica (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECHILE→
36A
Fine-textured wood used in musical instruments (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPEAR→
37A
Unfettered flow of goods (9)
Starts with F, ends with EFREETRADE→
39A
It might turn up a turnip (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPADE→
40A
Software clients (8)
Starts with U, ends with EUSERBASE→
41A
Minuscule (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTEENY→
42A
"That's my opinion, too" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAME→
43A
Components of some makeovers (7)
Starts with H, ends with SHAIRDOS→
45A
Boatload (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSLEW→
48A
First-rate, in slang (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBOSS→
49A
R&B's ___ Hill (3)
Starts with D, ends with UDRU→
50A
"Be kind!" (10)
Starts with H, ends with THAVEAHEART→
54A
First name of the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITONI→
55A
What holding one's thumb up might indicate (10)
Starts with I, ends with EINEEDARIDE→
56A
"How could ___?" (4)
Starts with I, ends with TINOT→
57A
Cooking byproduct sometimes called "liquid gold" (10)
Starts with P, ends with RPASTAWATER→
58A
Rescues, maybe (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPETS→
Down
1D
Fragrant rice dish (5)
Starts with P, ends with FPILAF→
2D
Day and night (10)
Starts with A, ends with SATALLHOURS→
3D
"Must I spell it out further?" (10)
Starts with D, ends with EDONTYOUSEE→
5D
Like practices associated with pentacles (6)
Starts with O, ends with TOCCULT→
6D
Enfeebled (5)
Starts with F, ends with LFRAIL→
7D
Some scuba diving gear (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFINS→
8D
"OMG, I didn't need to know that!" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITMI→
9D
"She's everything. ___ just Ken" (2023 movie tagline) (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHES→
10D
Genre heard at many raves, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with MEDM→
11D
Pioneer in computer science who has a college at Yale named after her (11)
Starts with G, ends with RGRACEHOPPER→
12D
Asian royal (4)
Starts with R, ends with ARAJA→
13D
"Don't worry about me" (4)
Starts with I, ends with KIMOK→
14D
Have the audacity (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDARE→
20D
Colleen (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLASS→
23D
Emotionally complex, in a way (11)
Starts with B, ends with TBITTERSWEET→
24D
James Baldwin's "If ___ Street Could Talk" (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBEALE→
25D
One-named singer in the 2023 hit "Prada" (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERAYE→
26D
What one might subscribe to (3)
Starts with I, ends with MISM→
28D
"I'll let that ___ …" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESLIDE→
29D
Not to be repeated (10)
Starts with O, ends with EONEANDDONE→
30D
Seeking comment? (10)
Starts with R, ends with TREADYORNOT→
31D
32D
Stir-fry protein option (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTOFU→
33D
This, too, shall pass (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPHASE→
35D
Squeeze (4)
Starts with C, ends with MCRAM→
38D
Not yet final, in brief (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATBA→
39D
Number of kings en España named Felipe (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEIS→
41D
Position at a food company (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTASTER→
43D
Throng (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHORDE→
44D
Boardroom group (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSUITS→
46D
Superboy's crush (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALANA→
47D
Holiday lead-ins (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEVES→
48D
Entice (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBAIT→
51D
Antidiscrimination legis. of 1990 (3)
Starts with A, ends with AADA→
52D
___ flakes (fruity Chinese snack) (3)
Starts with H, ends with WHAW→
53D
Long period (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
54D
What a boat shouldn't do (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTIP→
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 9, 2025?+
72 clues: 33 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Willa Angel Chen Miller and Erik Agard and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Walks softly (PADS); Impossible to contact by ordinary means (OFFTHEGRID); "___, sing America" (ITOO).
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.
