NYT Crossword Answers Today: August 19, 2026

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 19, 2026 covers every clue in order.

19 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.

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NYT Crossword Across hints and answers for August 19, 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	Sahara-esque	Desert-like	ARID
5	Exams for high school jrs.	College admissions tests	PSATS
10	Private sleeping accommodations?	Places to sleep	COTS
14	“Didn’t you get the ___?”	Message or notice	MEMO
15	Wipe from one’s memory, so to speak	Forget completely	UNSEE
16	Section in a textbook	Part of a book	UNIT
17	“___ She Lovely” (Stevie Wonder hit)	Stevie Wonder song opening	ISN’T
18	Deceptive move in fencing	Fencing maneuver	FEINT
19	Depend (on)	Rely	RELY
20	Natural pillow filling	Down-like material	GOOSE FEATHERS
23	Graffiti, to some	Public defacement	ART
24	Three unnamed things, in shorthand	Placeholder letters	XYZ
25	Quinceañeras, e.g.	Celebrations	RITES
28	Lifted	Took	STOLE
30	Services for senior citizens	Elder services	ELDERCARE
34	Hybrid tennis attire	Tennis clothing	SKORT
36	Word with pan, pump or paint	Oil-related word	OIL
37	___ Minor	Constellation	URSA
38	Unofficial vote	Informal survey	STRAW POLL
41	President who was a heavyweight wrestling champion in college	27th U.S. president	TAFT
44	“___ got it!”	Confirmation	I’VE
45	Cats and dogs, for example	Animal categories	NOUNS
48	Old West outlaw who left behind poetic messages after some robberies	Famous outlaw	BLACK BART
51	Excludes	Leaves out	OMITS
53	Mount ___ Health System	New York health system	SINAI
54	Immature high score initials on an arcade game	Juvenile initials	ASS
56	Something to trust	Instinct	GUT
57	Hides one’s central point, in a way … with a doubly homophonic hint to 20-, 30-, 38- and 48-Across	Conceals the main point	BURIES THE LEDE
62	They offer support	Underwear	BRAS
64	Speak at a political convention, perhaps	Give a speech	ORATE
65	Field	Area	AREA
66	Facility	Ease	EASE
67	2008 film about a solitary trash-compacting robot	Pixar film	WALL-E
68	Semiaquatic relative of a weasel	Small mammal	MINK
69	Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 6	Food additives	DYES
70	Fall bloom	Autumn flower	ASTER
71	Cave wall hangings?	Winged cave dwellers	BATS

NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for August 19, 2026

No.	Clue	Hint	Answer
1	Female friends from Fuenlabrada	Spanish female friends	AMIGAS
2	Some vacation destinations	Places to stay	RESORTS
3	“My mood is pretty low”	Expression of sadness	I’M NOT OK
4	Top three sights in Fiji?	Playful visual clue	DOTS
5	Like eyes during an allergy attack	Swollen	PUFFY
6	“Bless you!” elicitor	Sneeze	SNEEZE
7	___ Minor	Region of the ancient world	ASIA
8	Something that’s pitched	Camping shelter	TENT
9	“Family Guy” creator MacFarlane	Seth	SETH
10	Set of courses offered	Academic program	CURRICULUM
11	Miserable rating	One-star review	ONE STAR
12	“___ death do us part”	Wedding phrase	TIL
13	What a parent might compare a messy bedroom to	Filthy place	STY
21	Put forth	Expend	EXERT
22	Drop the ball	Make a mistake	ERR
26	Verbal hesitations	Filler sounds	ERS
27	Neptune’s territory	Ocean	SEA
29	Situations one might no longer put effort into	Lost situations	LOST CAUSES
31	Drop	Lower	LOWER
32	Drop	Let fall	DIP
33	North Carolina university	Private university	ELON
35	Chicago paper, with “the”	Newspaper	TRIB
39	___ Max, singer of the 2018 hit “Sweet but Psycho”	Singer Ava	AVA
40	Not taut	Loose	LOOSE
41	Longtime “American Dad!” airer	TV network	TBS
42	2001 biopic starring Will Smith	Muhammad Ali film	ALI
43	The “Beyhive” for Beyoncé, e.g.	Fan community	FANBASE
46	Country bordering Chad and Benin	West African country	NIGERIA
47	Lecture attendee	Student	STUDENT
49	___ royale (Champagne cocktail)	Cocktail	KIR
50	Rat (on)	Inform on	TELL
52	They can be well-done	Food items	STEAKS
55	See-through	Transparent	SHEER
58	Part of the Corn Belt	Midwestern state	IOWA
59	Important stretches	Significant periods	ERAS
60	The word “salary” derives from the Latin for this	Ancient payment commodity	SALT
61	What a shepherd may shepherd	Flock animals	SHEEP
62	Bouncy part of a trampoline	Springy surface	MAT
63	“A drop of golden sun,” in song	The Sound of Music lyric	MUSIC

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 19, 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.