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Puzzles for February, 2026
with Constructor comments

View these same grids with comments from:
Constructor (3)Editor (4)Jim Horne (16)Hide comments
Sun 2/1/2026 Comical Mutation
LIFEBARIMPALAPOSTIT
OLESTRASAILONIPHONE
CLASSICALCLOWNMIASMA
AGRIISAYSOBLEDSOE
LOSESTEAMSARIENG
CASHINTOPICALDOG
TWOPARTICLEHARMONY
HIKERSMYOPEDEBRA
ELBACAVERSIRSLEW
ADORBSAPPSCABADS
FOLLICLESONONESFACE
VIMTAUCORAPARKAS
PREKMENAKRONMARK
SERIFINBEDSPORTY
WERENAUTICALWORTHY
LYRICALJETCAGEIN
LOUBIASNASTYGRAM
AMNESIAREMISSRELY
MASTEDBOSTONPOPSICLE
AMORALINVADEROOSTER
SANELYCOPSESSEXTOYS
Mon 2/2/2026
HERSLESSEBBED
AVECETONNORTH
NEMOACLUCORAL
GROUNDHOGDAY
ASTROSONAJAG
ROEITTATTEDU
GROUNDHOGDAY
EARNSEAAIMS
GROUNDHOGDAY
ALAFOYEOSUSS
DONALDSTENCH
GROUNDHOGDAY
STAREROJOROLE
HIDEFSUETENDS
EASESANDSTEST
Tue 2/3/2026
NASCARTOTESSAT
IQUOTEWHAMOHBO
TUNNELVISIONALL
EASTIAGOTASKED
OVENSHITME
TVGUIDEBECAUSE
BARRESOLOTHAT
SPAWETPAINTAGE
PEDIYEARUNCLE
SECRECYSTROKES
LEASHBURNT
SPEEDOFIREHAHA
MAVINSIDEVOICES
ONESMILEOWNERS
GELHEXESREGRET
Wed 2/4/2026
DELHIBLABSOMG
IVIEDBOGIENIA
VISIONQUESTTNT
ALASNOTICGHEE
TTOPSUSIE
EKGSBARMITZVAH
REIISLETIMELY
RAVENMICFORTE
ONESECGOOFGEN
RUMSPRINGATERA
EATATSTAR
DEFYTASEROICA
OBIHELLONEWMAN
MAVBRIARPEATY
EYEOSAGEALCOA
Thu 2/5/2026
HASATSLAYSHAM
OCALATASEPETA
TOLLBOOTHSALEE
DUTYARKGRIDS
OPTFREEWAYEXIT
GLARESELMERR
SEXERCLAPASTO
ONTHEROAD
ABCSAIDSDISCS
LEAPINGUNLAP
LANECLOSUREIRA
CRAMSCPAAMFM
APSETRAFFICJAM
PATEAEROSHIRE
SWATOVERMEMED
Fri 2/6/2026
PRONGJPGSACTS
OENOPHILIAMOOT
LASTSECONDINTO
ELIWRAPSONTAP
ITSASMALLWORLD
DELTARIALALE
ICKTNTCIA
HARDHATGHOSTED
OLERIMEVA
OLDPANELETTA
LIFESTYLECREEP
INLAYHITUPAPB
GOATBOSSBATTLE
ANGIIMSOSCARED
NESTBEANKNOTS
Sat 2/7/2026
WAFFLEMAKER
MACARONISALAD
GENUSANDSPECIES
ODDITYSOLANGE
DIETSGRITMIRE
NARYFOOLLINEN
ONSCLOSERANGE
READYTOGO
SPORTSBETSDAB
STUPAPOSHYALL
LUTEFEATHEDGE
OPTIMALLESBOS
TOENAILSCISSORS
RETIRETHESIDE
SONYREADERS
Sun 2/8/2026 Who's In Charge Here?
ARTISANLEEKSGAUCHO
BERNINIENRICHANTEUP
ELASTICHAIRTIEPOORME
TYPOKINDTEAMSPEAR
MORESMENLOTIANA
CHANNELPRINCEOFWALES
AERIESSEENEDDIE
THEADCOUNCILSTELMO
SEWGUARDYOMSNOOPS
EPEESEASEUPSNORE
DADADIRECTORDERENYA
STORKSHRILLTEARS
TINMENOMGSORENHOE
TEABAGSHOCKINGPINK
APARTALASTOONIE
LIFEBEFOREMANFERRETS
ATOMSFLAGSCARAT
DORASELIGPAINACAI
INCITEUNDERCOVERBOSS
EYELETPEYTONIMALLIN
SASSESREESEDINEDAT
Mon 2/9/2026
ATADSEASSCAB
NOWINARCHALTO
GRAVYGATODIET
LASVEGASSTRIP
OHHIUSEPUEBLO
EARYUMOAR
GOLDNUGGETHARD
IMOUTLOLGORGE
RASPGOALTENDER
TNTCAWEMO
HICCUPSICRIDE
AREYOUCHICKEN
TRUEERIENONET
EASEACNEADORE
AWEDRAGSEWER
Tue 2/10/2026
VIMBALSADIA
IMAGEABATEINN
POKERPLAYERVAT
ETAILEILISH
CFOSPALMREADER
ALVINDAEDECO
NAENAEVENTI
MRSPOTATOHEAD
HASUPDISBAR
MAMANIHSNORE
CLAPOMETERIVAN
PANERARANGE
HSNGIVEMEAHAND
EKEANODESTLEO
EARNEXUSLEG

Meet the Potato Heads!

Spuds!

Sarah: I sure was lucky to have Amie GIVE ME A HAND on this one, because the revealer and two theme answers had been stuck in puzzle purgatory (my Notes app) for over 2 years before her fresh perspective helped get things over the finish line. When she suggested 25-Across, I knew we were cooking! Amie is a dream to collaborate with, and I am honored to appear as her co-potato!

Amie: I'm so happy to be back in the Times with Sarah, one of my best spuddies in puzzles! My favorite clue of hers here is 9-Down.

Wed 2/11/2026
WALRUSSHOEASIF
AMOUNTYOULOSTME
GOODNESSGRACIOUS
SNEERATTARPS
EENARCANA
EEODOGBREEDGPA
DEFIESLIFEBEAM
GRINDSASSSOFIA
EINSMIRECATERS
SETSAFESEATESS
EJECTSOPI
LORDEENSNARE
GREATBALLSOFFIRE
BESTOFALLFORMAL
TOTEFACEFROSTS
Thu 2/12/2026
DWELLGUAMMEN
RADIANINCAOXO
OWESTOSHUTOUTS
PANTERAORELSE
EXITLADDERS
SEESAYETNA
ATVIBEXCORRAL
DEECLAMSUPALT
LANCETENDSPLY
ILSADNAPSY
BATISTEROMA
KENNELFLAMING
GIVEAHUGEXETER
USECEDESILICA
MSNKEELMASKS
Fri 2/13/2026
TSAPSSTLASTS
HELLYEAHFIREHAT
ICEARENAIVOTENO
NUTSOMIFFEDRDA
GRASTAILEDNABS
YEPCIRCACOVET
MOVIETRAILERS
DIAMONDEARRING
MINNESOTANICE
AVANTERASESIS
HERABEATLEZINC
ABASAYSHIDIEGO
LABNOTEEGGDONOR
ORIOLESRHIANNON
SCRODSTAYADS
Sat 2/14/2026
PEACESIGN
SANTAPHOTOS
LOVETRIANGLES
COMEECGAREA
LOADUPDINING
ATLSLEEVESASH
PSISEXTAPELEA
PARACHUTEIN
SWIGTOOLSCUSH
WARESPSTTEMPE
AVALONCASBAH
GETINONSACHETS
REMOTEWORKERS
SIMONEBILES
TAKESABET
Sun 2/15/2026 Good to the Last Drop
CHARLIDSSCOTAFLASH
NONOORALPHEWTROTTED
BLOWTOSMITHEREMOTHERE
CENSUSDREWEASTSERA
SEASAROUNDHARPER
TEACHEREMOUSSEBERT
IMRUINEDWITSLAHDIDAH
LIMPEDIPADTEEPEE
ERRSATAYTEXBLANKED
ESCDIYAREPAIRONED
ITSALLDOWNHILLFROMHERE
NATGEONABOBOFTEOE
ARSENICLAYWRIERBED
CRAWLSBEENETHERE
FEATHERETIREINSOMNIA
ALBADEAGEDTOPMODEL
TAOISMGARNETYEET
CSUPAGESICEELITMUS
ATTHEREISTHATALLTHERE
TITANIAEPEEALOEUGLI
CONDORRADSLEWDSASS
Mon 2/16/2026
CLASPBODAMEN
LILLEDEVOVAMP
OGLEDRAIDODOR
THEWIZARDOFID
STYGOTHBADASS
BROUNIXSHE
ADFEEIGORCHIC
BOISEIDIDTHEFT
HUNTNEARRUSTS
OLESCANMAG
RAWBARTIEDDEM
IDGOEITHERWAY
ANNAWAGEGEESE
OBEYDRUMADLER
LASSSPAPOLLS
Tue 2/17/2026
SKASINCEABASH
PALOPERADARLA
ALBINORATORION
NEATOFISTIAMS
SNAFUGUESSSO
NAILARTPEAT
OLAYSAGTAPAS
PANBAROQUEACH
EDSELDENUPTO
ATMSDISBAND
PERSONATAEBO
SARAPOPSFRERE
LURCHORALEXAMS
ALOHAZONESRAP
WIREDENDITSLY
Wed 2/18/2026
RANDBARAMPACTS
AMORELOCOAGORA
PETEREDOUTSAMUS
SIGNSOFTHETIMES
SAPSERRANO
GAHRIOAASDAM
ABUNDANCEPOLE
SYMBOLICGESTURES
USDASORCERERS
PSIHUTERRSTY
NOISOMEARK
FIGURESOFSPEECH
IRENESCREENSHOT
CIRCEEHOWCHASE
ASSESDINSEATEN
Thu 2/19/2026
JETTTRIBESPEC
ATOMHAVINGLAMA
CRUISINFORABRUIS
KEGARKSILLPRO
HISSCLOSES
SINGSTHESHOWER
STUNGALINSA
NOTEWHIRRSBANA
OURTEEPECOS
BUSINESSSIDERS
LOSETOTESS
BENMEGAORCHOP
LESSEROFTWOEVILS
ICANSOAKEDEGGS
PHILDRONETHAT
Fri 2/20/2026
OLAFSKULASSOS
BARISTASATTACH
OVENWARESEESTO
SWEATERWEATHER
ELGINIRSATE
MALIGNAZTEC
OPINERHEAOHNO
REVERSEENGINEER
EDENNDASMARNE
SHOEDSPREES
ABTAWESCOTS
FRIENDMATERIAL
RAMADACANTSTOP
OVERLYLIESTILL
SASSESUNSSPAY
Sat 2/21/2026
BLANKSTARENICE
BODYHORRORORAL
QUESADILLAFORK
PIXNAVELPUNS
ISEESINPONCHO
TACITAESOPLAV
GRITTSQUARE
METHANEASUNDER
EXOTICAREID
LOXLUMETZIPIT
DRIVERPEADOPE
CCEDFORMSPHX
JIGSROCKBOTTOM
ASAPEXHILARATE
MESAMYSTERYBOX
Sun 2/22/2026 Books of the Bible
ABATECANVASACIDIC
LOCATEATBESTFOREMEN
PRETAXDEATHONTHENILE
HALTTIEBAAEDITED
ATALEOFTWOCITIESMAB
ILLSANONFRITRA
FANSPIESDOAIAN
DANGEROUSLIAISONSOTT
RIGAPPTRBISSINES
ATLANTAMOETOIL
WHERETHEWILDTHINGSARE
LAYLICKRENAMED
DECORPLIEMOONIII
ADOTHEAGEOFINNOCENCE
MMMOARMEMOALOE
PCPTCMINRIEARS
MARTHEPRINCEOFTIDES
CAREERALIPSINONO
THEGREATESCAPERHONDA
ROTATEDBEANIEEARNER
NOLESSESTOPSHEEDS
Mon 2/23/2026
BOZOSABDULRAG
IRATEWEEPSERA
BACHELORPADCEL
EYELETBONA
OUTROSTHELORAX
USAUSBWOODSY
RERANRACEBY
ROLEREVERSALS
IVOTEDTHEIR
CHASEDESEFRO
DELOREANORATED
CAINNIGHTS
ATENAVELORANGE
SUNTWICEADORN
EPSHELENPOSED

This is my fourth Monday puzzle! I love being able to jazz up a simple crossword theme with fun entries like BACHELORPAD and NAVELORANGE. I also always try to include interesting long down phrases, such as SEEYOUNEVER, while keeping the fill relatively smooth and easy.

One fun thing about crossword construction is that you get to learn interesting facts. Who knew there was a world record for Mr. Potato Head assembling?

"And all that the Lorax left here in this mess was a small pile of rocks, with one word... UNLESS."

Tue 2/24/2026
DRECKAMBERWRY
METOONAOMIHEE
ETHNICGROUPENT
DIEDOEDOLAF
ELECTRICGUITAR
MASSAUTOBIO
XINGAKANERF
TICELGRECOEEL
AJARAIMVCRS
MINIPIGLEAH
ENDOCRINEGLAND
PITHOVAROOS
JIGEVENINGGOWN
UNILEVEEMENSA
SGTPEETSCREEP
Wed 2/25/2026
HITMECLEFSEMO
ONEALTAROTCMD
CREDI SCOREHAD
KENOICESPOOFS
NADAMILLI
VINCENT ANGOGH
HIHATREZACHE
USASCOOTERATA
SUDSURLASTER
HANNIBALLE TER
LOOTSIKEA
WAITSNENENAYS
HIDBREAKDANCES
ADEABOVERERUN
TSADINEDEDENS
Thu 2/26/2026
CINCHESDREAMS
SONATINAREDTIE
ANTEATEROPIATE
LAAAFOOT
VIKINGSHIPSBBQ
ORECARTEYESORE
ELIASTWOD
ROMANNUMERALS
JIVESAVOY
ICANSAYNATASHA
GELLIABILITIES
PESKYMRS
PLURALGAINTIME
IONIZEUNNAILED
XBOXESMANGLES

How great is this! My debut puzzle in the New York Times! And on a Thursday, no less. I am personally of the opinion that when it comes to puzzles, the trickier the better. Hopefully this one lives up to those standards.

This puzzle does require some math. For all those solvers who don't think math is fun... sorry (not sorry). I'm a data scientist with an engineering background, and I fill my free time with sewing and sudoku puzzles. Basically, I have numbers on my mind constantly.

This puzzle's theme was inspired by a common form of wordplay found in British-style cryptic crosswords. Cryptic crosswords can tie your brain into the most delightful knots and have become a staple of my morning routine (alongside the NYT crosswords, of course). They've made me better at solving, and setting, "normal" crosswords. I hope they gain more popularity across the pond - which to me means America, since I've been living in The Netherlands for the past ten years.

Turning the idea into a fully fledged puzzle required a bit of Python code to find the theme entries, a lot of trial and error, and some very helpful feedback from the NYT editing team. I'm thrilled that this effort paid off, and I hope you enjoy it!

Fri 2/27/2026
SACAGAWEADOLLAR
AMERICANPALEALE
DISTRESSEDDENIM
DRAFTSURSAKEY
RUHTICSWAN
REELROTUNDA
ORADAREAIRBAG
KINDESTTARTARE
UNSEATAINTSGT
BRAISESTSOS
MRISQTSCUL
PAOASTODARIUS
RUNINTERFERENCE
ANASTASIASTEELE
MANHATTANKANSAS
Sat 2/28/2026
AIMLOWFRATBOY
SMEAGOLDEARONE
THATSMEREVOLTS
RENTBAEFEDORA
ARIELTRISTIN
LEEETHANNAIAD
STRESSLEVEL
BEFORETIMES
CURLYBRACES
SATBYAPNEAPOI
ALTFRETNERFS
MOHAIRNTHLOLA
BRUSHEDAUTOPAY
AIRHORNNEOPETS
RETYPEDSTEREO
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