Searching for the NYT Crossword answers today? If today’s New York Times Crossword has a few clues standing in the way, this guide has everything needed to finish the puzzle.
Below, you’ll find a spoiler-light overview, followed by hints for every Across and Down clue before revealing the complete answers. Whether only one square is missing or the entire grid needs solving, today’s guide for August 14, 2026 covers every clue in order.
14 August 2026 – NYT Crossword overview
Today’s crossword offers a balanced challenge with a clever central theme that gradually becomes apparent as more of the grid is completed. Several clues rely on wordplay and misdirection, while a handful of modern abbreviations and pop culture references may slow down even experienced solvers.

The puzzle is approachable for regular crossword players but still contains enough tricky clues to make the final solve satisfying. Looking for hints first? Start with the sections below before scrolling to the complete answers.
NYT Crossword Across hints and answers for August 14, 2026
Start with the hint if you’d like to keep solving on your own. The answer is listed directly underneath.
| No. | Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ___ Plateau, home to the tomb of King Khufu | Famous Egyptian site | GIZA |
| 5 | Discovers | Finds out | SNIFFS OUT |
| 14 | “There’s my cue” | Ready to begin | I’M ON |
| 15 | “Dios mío!” | Spanish exclamation | AY CARAMBA |
| 16 | Superbright | Extremely bright | RICOLA |
| 17 | Couple’s last coupling, perhaps | Relationship ending | BREAKUP SEX |
| 18 | Mounted warrior skilled in martial arts | Japanese warrior | SAMURAI |
| 20 | Retired pro wrestler Flair | Wrestling legend | RIC |
| 21 | Sibling’s cry of protest, maybe | Complaint | UNFAIR |
| 22 | Guard for some time? | Hire a temporary guard | RENT-A-COP |
| 27 | Unit whose name derives from the Latin word for “heat” | Measurement of heat | CALORIE |
| 29 | Completely lose it | Go crazy | GO LOCO |
| 30 | Bunk alternatives | Beds | COTS |
| 31 | Leave a lasting mark on | Etch | ETCH |
| 33 | Because | Since | SINCE |
| 34 | Self-doubter’s question | Uncertain question | AM I? |
| 35 | Huddling, as teammates | Close together | IN CLOSE |
| 37 | Mom-and-pop group | Family | FAM |
| 38 | Rock musician Bob | Rock singer | SEGER |
| 40 | “Enough out of you!” | Stop talking | HUSH |
| 41 | Costco competitor, informally | Warehouse retailer | SAM’S |
| 42 | England’s George V vis-à-vis Russia’s Nicholas II | Family relation | COUSIN |
| 44 | Good places for a deep dive into research? | Places for scientific research | SEA LABS |
| 46 | Recollection, say | Memory | ANECDOTE |
| 48 | Primates found only in and around Madagascar | Island primates | LEMURS |
| 50 | Slip | Make an error | ERR |
| 51 | Explode, as a paintball | Burst dramatically | GO SPLAT |
| 52 | Enthusiastic cry when one’s favorite song comes on the radio | Excited exclamation | THAT’S MY JAM |
| 57 | Idle | Not active | LAZE |
| 58 | Excessively greedy | Very greedy | RAPACIOUS |
| 59 | Berkshire town | Massachusetts town | LENOX |
| 60 | Of an indefinitely large number | Without limit | INFINITE |
| 61 | Spanish muralist José María ___ | Spanish artist | SERT |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for August 14, 2026
| No. | Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kitchen brand inspired by 18-Across | Japanese knife brand | GINSU |
| 2 | “Seriously?!” | Emphatic response | I MEAN |
| 3 | Issue in a modern remote work setting | Video-call problem | ZOOM |
| 4 | Corn and wheat, for two | Plant categories | ANNUALS |
| 5 | Garment worn with a bodice called a choli | Traditional Indian garment | SARI |
| 6 | 365th out of 365, in brief | Last day of the year | DEC. 31 |
| 7 | Words of comfort | Reassurance | THERE, THERE |
| 8 | Not being real about | Faking | LYING |
| 9 | Honey is high in this | Sweetener | SUGAR |
| 10 | Deplete | Use up | SAP |
| 11 | Yogis’ utterances | Meditative sounds | OMS |
| 12 | Purple drink ingredient at a boba tea shop | Taro-based ingredient | TARO |
| 13 | “… plus ___” | Extra item | TAX |
| 17 | Unfruitful | Barren | ARID |
| 19 | Animated 2011 film set in Brazil | Animated movie | RIO |
| 22 | Person that’s best left alone | Someone to avoid | LONE WOLF |
| 23 | Wong of Netflix’s “Beef” | Actress Ali | ALI |
| 24 | Shoot the breeze | Chat | TALK |
| 25 | Philosophy of “Keep things simple,” in a sense | Minimalism | LESS IS MORE |
| 26 | “How do ___ grow? They grow out of your life”: Robert Penn Warren | Literary quotation | MEN |
| 28 | Scratch that! | Take it back | NEVER MIND |
| 30 | “Julius Caesar” role | Shakespeare character | BRUTUS |
| 32 | Plot device? | Story element | DEVICE |
| 35 | Shimmer colorfully | Sparkle | IRIDESCЕ |
| 36 | Hello or goodbye, abroad | Foreign greeting | CIAO |
| 39 | Computer key that might be pressed repeatedly in a panic | Keyboard key | ESC |
| 41 | Tastes | Samples | TRIES |
| 43 | Average Joe, in modern slang | Ordinary person | NORMIE |
| 45 | ___ Bleus, nickname for France’s World Cup team | French national team | LES BLEUS |
| 47 | Check for fit | Try on | TEST |
| 49 | What might go straight to the heart? | Emotional message | ARROW |
| 51 | Deep cut | Serious wound | GASH |
| 52 | Monodrama that debuted in 1989 | One-person theatrical work | ZOË? |
| 53 | Country ___ | Musical genre | MUSIC |
| 54 | Unwanted place for bugs | Computer problem | SYSTEM |
| 55 | Parlor offering, for short | Hair service | MANI |
| 56 | Project | Undertake | PLAN |
Tips for solving the NYT Crossword
Even if today’s crossword proved difficult, a few strategies can make future puzzles much easier.
- Fill in the shortest clues first to build crossing letters.
- Skip clues that seem impossible and return later with more letters in place.
- Watch for question marks, as they often signal puns or wordplay.
- Look for common crossword abbreviations, initials, and shortened forms.
- Don’t ignore theme clues, as they often unlock multiple answers throughout the puzzle.
- Use crossing answers to verify uncertain guesses instead of forcing words that don’t fit.
Consistently solving a few puzzles each week also helps build familiarity with recurring clue styles commonly used in the NYT Crossword.

Final thoughts
The NYT Crossword for August 14, 2026 delivers another enjoyable daily challenge with a satisfying mix of straightforward clues, clever wordplay, and a memorable theme. Whether only a couple of answers were needed or the complete solution was required, hopefully this guide helped finish today’s puzzle.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for another complete set of NYT Crossword hints and answers, including spoiler-free clues followed by the full solution.







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