The NYT Midi Crossword May 18, 2026 puzzle by Adrianne Baik is solved below. The answers were grouped based on their orientation on the grid.
Across
- 1 “___ ! … I Did It Again” (Britney Spears hit) OOPS
- 5 Strike zone assessors UMPS
- 9 Study for the SAT, say PREP
- 10 Brand of party cups used in flip cup SOLO
- 11 Stayed chill ACTEDCOOL
- 13 Tattoo removal option LASER
- 14 Go blond, perhaps DYE
- 15 Flow barrier DAM
- 17 Enjoyed an 18-Down, say ATE
- 20 What two fingers up might symbolize PEACE
- 24 Concept that’s above criticism, metaphorically SACREDCOW
- 26 Potential post-exercise symptom ACHE
- 27 Not busy IDLE
- 28 [Just like that … it’s gone!] POOF
- 29 Makes a scene? ACTS
Down
- 1 October birthstone OPAL
- 2 Shamu, for one ORCA
- 3 Nonhuman family members PETS
- 4 Go 90 in a 65, say SPEED
- 5 L.A. school with a Cinematic Arts department USC
- 6 Aura MOOD
- 7 Scheme PLOY
- 8 Part of a shoe that gets worn down SOLE
- 12 Arrange, as a shawl DRAPE
- 16 ___ training (P.R. work for celebrities) MEDIA
- 17 “Right away!” ASAP
- 18 Item topped with salsa and guacamole, maybe TACO
- 19 Audio issue on Zoom call ECHO
- 21 “Highway to Hell” band … or a hint to the “power couples” inside 11- and 24-Across ACDC
- 22 N.F.L. athlete whose helmet features a horseshoe COLT
- 23 Female sheep EWES
- 25 One making calls REF
MINI Clues are grouped in the order they appeared in the puzzle and If the answers above do not solve a specific clue just open the clue link and it will show you all the possible solutions that we have for that clue.