"What a relief!"

Latest answer — February 15, 2026

21 Across

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NYT Crossword

This clue's Sunday, February 15, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Do a little too well?
  2. 5Tops
  3. 9Resident of Ayrshire or Lanarkshire
  4. 13No time at all
  5. 19Discouraged action
  6. 20Mouthy?
  7. 21"What a relief!"
  8. 22Brought (out)
  9. 24Completely destroy with a blast
  10. 27Gaia, by another name
  11. 28Something typically taken every 10 years
  12. 29Doodled
  13. 30Certain bridge positions
  14. 32Segment of a timeline, perhaps
  15. 33The moon's "maria"
  16. 36Circa
  17. 38"Rhoda" actress Valerie
  18. 40Version of a textbook designed for instruction
  19. 44Salon substance
  20. 45Muppet who loves pigeons
  21. 46"My life is over"
  22. 47Sharpness
  23. 48Sarcastic response to a show-off
  24. 52Walked gingerly
  25. 53Product with Pro, Air and Mini varieties
  26. 55Conical shelter
  27. 57Use salt instead of sugar while baking, say
  28. 58Skewered Indonesian dish
  29. 60___ Winter, basketball coach who famously innovated the "triangle offense"
  30. 61Had a brain fart
  31. 66Top-left PC key
  32. 69Like some simple repair jobs, in brief
  33. 70Grilled South American fare
  34. 72Smoothed (out)
  35. 73"Things are only going to get worse" ... or a hint to answering the seven italicized clues in this puzzle
  36. 78Science-and-nature magazine, familiarly
  37. 79Muckety-muck
  38. 80Frequently, poetically
  39. 81Fair-hiring inits.
  40. 82Chemical element whose use led to the first known law against poisoning
  41. 84Herman ___ (potato chip entrepreneur)
  42. 85More sardonic
  43. 87Rest area?
  44. 90Speeds of slow-moving traffic
  45. 92"It's ___ real"
  46. 93Delicate, as beauty
  47. 96Photo-editing technique used to create a smooth transition
  48. 100Wear (out)
  49. 102Middle-of-the-night woe
  50. 104Duchess of ___ (noted Spanish title)
  51. 105Made younger-looking in an editing studio, say
  52. 107Reality TV franchise created by Tyra Banks
  53. 108Philosophy symbolized by yin and yang
  54. 111Ruby lookalike
  55. 112Throw, in modern slang
  56. 113Fort Collins sch.
  57. 114Calls to task?
  58. 116Company behind the machine used to make Slurpees
  59. 118Kind of paper in a lab
  60. 123In back
  61. 125"Wait, are we done?"
  62. 129Queen of the fairies
  63. 130Dueling weapon
  64. 131Skin softener
  65. 132Fruit also known as a "uniq"
  66. 133Largest bird in North America
  67. 134X-ray units
  68. 135Immodest
  69. 136"You can't make me!," e.g.

Down

  1. 1"The Exchange" airer
  2. 2Flaw in an argument
  3. 3Unknown author, for short
  4. 4Squabbles
  5. 5Unresolved parts of a plot
  6. 6Org. to which you might provide your bank account info
  7. 7Renewable energy structure
  8. 8Lost traction
  9. 9Globelike shape
  10. 10Dress down
  11. 11Poetic contraction
  12. 12Many middle schoolers
  13. 13Ones pressed for cash?
  14. 14Top of a latte
  15. 15Mucho
  16. 16M.L.B. team that once went by OAK on scoreboards
  17. 17In hot water?
  18. 18Fashion designer Carolina
  19. 23Shortage
  20. 25Behind
  21. 26Certain public transit network
  22. 31Singer whose "Hello" was the fastest video ever to reach 1 billion views on YouTube
  23. 34"People ___ Strange" (the Doors song)
  24. 35Conduct inciting an insurrection
  25. 37World's first billion-dollar corporation
  26. 39Sac fly result
  27. 40Game piece in Rummikub
  28. 41Royal title
  29. 42Where jet-setters may rub elbows
  30. 43Chalice
  31. 49P.D. alert
  32. 50Prefix meaning "sun"
  33. 51"Heavens to Betsy!"
  34. 54Subscription-only website feature
  35. 56Look into
  36. 59Contribute
  37. 60Chicago paper, informally
  38. 62N.Y.C. neighborhood that's home to the Grey Art Museum
  39. 63Lower-body exercise
  40. 64Occupational suffix
  41. 65J.F.K. predecessor
  42. 67Aromatic herb
  43. 68Hold tightly
  44. 70Mariner's greeting
  45. 71Natural attraction
  46. 73Two peas ___ pod
  47. 74Pitch
  48. 75French wine region
  49. 76LeBron James or Nikola Jokic
  50. 77Delivery person's assignment: Abbr.
  51. 83"Wheels"
  52. 85Beverage infused with THC
  53. 86Fixed, as a "m-i-t-s-a-k-e"
  54. 88County in western New York
  55. 89Deck out?
  56. 91Shoe with a thick sole
  57. 92Part of an equestrian's ensemble
  58. 94Small songbird
  59. 95Benefit plan option, in brief
  60. 96Wealthy sort
  61. 97Stretchy
  62. 98"Next on my list"
  63. 99___ chi
  64. 101Lit up, in a way
  65. 103___ Valley (San Francisco neighborhood)
  66. 106Less challenging
  67. 109Shell out
  68. 110Video game character aptly celebrated on Mar. 10
  69. 115Bicyclist's setting
  70. 117Latin list ender
  71. 119Lead-in to a conclusion
  72. 120___ Millions (multistate lottery)
  73. 121Some addresses
  74. 122Dos + cuatro
  75. 124China's largest ethnic group
  76. 126Wellness resort offering
  77. 127Horn contents at a Viking feast
  78. 128Depressed

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Do a little too well? — Answer: CHAR
  2. 5. Tops — Answer: LIDS
  3. 9. Resident of Ayrshire or Lanarkshire — Answer: SCOT
  4. 13. No time at all — Answer: AFLASH
  5. 19. Discouraged action — Answer: NONO
  6. 20. Mouthy? — Answer: ORAL
  7. 21. "What a relief!" — Answer: PHEW
  8. 22. Brought (out) — Answer: TROTTED
  9. 24. Completely destroy with a blast — Answer: BLOWTOSMITHERE
  10. 27. Gaia, by another name — Answer: MOTHERE
  11. 28. Something typically taken every 10 years — Answer: CENSUS
  12. 29. Doodled — Answer: DREW
  13. 30. Certain bridge positions — Answer: EASTS
  14. 32. Segment of a timeline, perhaps — Answer: ERA
  15. 33. The moon's "maria" — Answer: SEAS
  16. 36. Circa — Answer: AROUND
  17. 38. "Rhoda" actress Valerie — Answer: HARPER
  18. 40. Version of a textbook designed for instruction — Answer: TEACHERE
  19. 44. Salon substance — Answer: MOUSSE
  20. 45. Muppet who loves pigeons — Answer: BERT. Hint: He shares his home with Ernie and has a soft spot for feathered friends! 🕊️
  21. 46. "My life is over" — Answer: IMRUINED
  22. 47. Sharpness — Answer: WITS
  23. 48. Sarcastic response to a show-off — Answer: LAHDIDAH
  24. 52. Walked gingerly — Answer: LIMPED
  25. 53. Product with Pro, Air and Mini varieties — Answer: IPAD
  26. 55. Conical shelter — Answer: TEEPEE
  27. 57. Use salt instead of sugar while baking, say — Answer: ERR
  28. 58. Skewered Indonesian dish — Answer: SATAY
  29. 60. ___ Winter, basketball coach who famously innovated the "triangle offense" — Answer: TEX
  30. 61. Had a brain fart — Answer: BLANKED
  31. 66. Top-left PC key — Answer: ESC
  32. 69. Like some simple repair jobs, in brief — Answer: DIY
  33. 70. Grilled South American fare — Answer: AREPA
  34. 72. Smoothed (out) — Answer: IRONED
  35. 73. "Things are only going to get worse" ... or a hint to answering the seven italicized clues in this puzzle — Answer: ITSALLDOWNHILLFROMHERE
  36. 78. Science-and-nature magazine, familiarly — Answer: NATGEO
  37. 79. Muckety-muck — Answer: NABOB
  38. 80. Frequently, poetically — Answer: OFT. Hint: This word is often found in classic poetry! 🌟
  39. 81. Fair-hiring inits. — Answer: EOE
  40. 82. Chemical element whose use led to the first known law against poisoning — Answer: ARSENIC
  41. 84. Herman ___ (potato chip entrepreneur) — Answer: LAY
  42. 85. More sardonic — Answer: WRIER
  43. 87. Rest area? — Answer: BED
  44. 90. Speeds of slow-moving traffic — Answer: CRAWLS
  45. 92. "It's ___ real" — Answer: BEEN
  46. 93. Delicate, as beauty — Answer: ETHERE
  47. 96. Photo-editing technique used to create a smooth transition — Answer: FEATHERE
  48. 100. Wear (out) — Answer: TIRE
  49. 102. Middle-of-the-night woe — Answer: INSOMNIA
  50. 104. Duchess of ___ (noted Spanish title) — Answer: ALBA
  51. 105. Made younger-looking in an editing studio, say — Answer: DEAGED
  52. 107. Reality TV franchise created by Tyra Banks — Answer: TOPMODEL
  53. 108. Philosophy symbolized by yin and yang — Answer: TAOISM
  54. 111. Ruby lookalike — Answer: GARNET
  55. 112. Throw, in modern slang — Answer: YEET
  56. 113. Fort Collins sch. — Answer: CSU
  57. 114. Calls to task? — Answer: PAGES
  58. 116. Company behind the machine used to make Slurpees — Answer: ICEE
  59. 118. Kind of paper in a lab — Answer: LITMUS
  60. 123. In back — Answer: ATTHERE
  61. 125. "Wait, are we done?" — Answer: ISTHATALLTHERE
  62. 129. Queen of the fairies — Answer: TITANIA
  63. 130. Dueling weapon — Answer: EPEE
  64. 131. Skin softener — Answer: ALOE
  65. 132. Fruit also known as a "uniq" — Answer: UGLI
  66. 133. Largest bird in North America — Answer: CONDOR
  67. 134. X-ray units — Answer: RADS
  68. 135. Immodest — Answer: LEWD
  69. 136. "You can't make me!," e.g. — Answer: SASS

Down

  1. 1. "The Exchange" airer — Answer: CNBC
  2. 2. Flaw in an argument — Answer: HOLE
  3. 3. Unknown author, for short — Answer: ANON
  4. 4. Squabbles — Answer: ROWS
  5. 5. Unresolved parts of a plot — Answer: LOOSEENDS
  6. 6. Org. to which you might provide your bank account info — Answer: IRS
  7. 7. Renewable energy structure — Answer: DAM
  8. 8. Lost traction — Answer: SLID. Hint: Moved unintentionally across a slick surface after losing grip 🧊
  9. 9. Globelike shape — Answer: SPHEROID
  10. 10. Dress down — Answer: CHEWOUT
  11. 11. Poetic contraction — Answer: OER. Hint: Poets may trim a familiar word this way to keep the rhythm flowing. ✍️
  12. 12. Many middle schoolers — Answer: TWEENS
  13. 13. Ones pressed for cash? — Answer: ATMS
  14. 14. Top of a latte — Answer: FROTH
  15. 15. Mucho — Answer: LOTSA
  16. 16. M.L.B. team that once went by OAK on scoreboards — Answer: ATH
  17. 17. In hot water? — Answer: STEEPED
  18. 18. Fashion designer Carolina — Answer: HERRERA
  19. 23. Shortage — Answer: DEARTH
  20. 25. Behind — Answer: TUSHIE
  21. 26. Certain public transit network — Answer: TRAMWAY
  22. 31. Singer whose "Hello" was the fastest video ever to reach 1 billion views on YouTube — Answer: ADELE
  23. 34. "People ___ Strange" (the Doors song) — Answer: ARE
  24. 35. Conduct inciting an insurrection — Answer: SEDITION
  25. 37. World's first billion-dollar corporation — Answer: USSTEEL
  26. 39. Sac fly result — Answer: RBI
  27. 40. Game piece in Rummikub — Answer: TILE
  28. 41. Royal title — Answer: EMIR
  29. 42. Where jet-setters may rub elbows — Answer: ARMRESTS
  30. 43. Chalice — Answer: CUP
  31. 49. P.D. alert — Answer: APB
  32. 50. Prefix meaning "sun" — Answer: HELIO
  33. 51. "Heavens to Betsy!" — Answer: DEARME
  34. 54. Subscription-only website feature — Answer: PAYWALL
  35. 56. Look into — Answer: EXPLORE
  36. 59. Contribute — Answer: ADD
  37. 60. Chicago paper, informally — Answer: TRIB
  38. 62. N.Y.C. neighborhood that's home to the Grey Art Museum — Answer: NOHO
  39. 63. Lower-body exercise — Answer: KNEEBEND
  40. 64. Occupational suffix — Answer: EER
  41. 65. J.F.K. predecessor — Answer: DDE
  42. 67. Aromatic herb — Answer: SAGE
  43. 68. Hold tightly — Answer: CLENCH
  44. 70. Mariner's greeting — Answer: AHOY
  45. 71. Natural attraction — Answer: AFFINITY
  46. 73. Two peas ___ pod — Answer: INA. Hint: This phrase describes two people who are remarkably alike and inseparable. 🫛
  47. 74. Pitch — Answer: TAR
  48. 75. French wine region — Answer: LOIRE
  49. 76. LeBron James or Nikola Jokic — Answer: NBASTAR
  50. 77. Delivery person's assignment: Abbr. — Answer: RTE
  51. 83. "Wheels" — Answer: CAR
  52. 85. Beverage infused with THC — Answer: WEEDTEA
  53. 86. Fixed, as a "m-i-t-s-a-k-e" — Answer: RESPELLED
  54. 88. County in western New York — Answer: ERIE
  55. 89. Deck out? — Answer: DEAL
  56. 91. Shoe with a thick sole — Answer: WEDGE
  57. 92. Part of an equestrian's ensemble — Answer: BREECHES
  58. 94. Small songbird — Answer: TOMTIT
  59. 95. Benefit plan option, in brief — Answer: HMO
  60. 96. Wealthy sort — Answer: FATCAT
  61. 97. Stretchy — Answer: ELASTIC. Hint: Able to stretch and then spring back to its original shape 🌀
  62. 98. "Next on my list" — Answer: ABOUTTO
  63. 99. ___ chi — Answer: TAI
  64. 101. Lit up, in a way — Answer: IGNITED
  65. 103. ___ Valley (San Francisco neighborhood) — Answer: NOE
  66. 106. Less challenging — Answer: EASIER
  67. 109. Shell out — Answer: SPEND
  68. 110. Video game character aptly celebrated on Mar. 10 — Answer: MARIO
  69. 115. Bicyclist's setting — Answer: GEAR
  70. 117. Latin list ender — Answer: ETAL
  71. 119. Lead-in to a conclusion — Answer: THUS
  72. 120. ___ Millions (multistate lottery) — Answer: MEGA
  73. 121. Some addresses — Answer: URLS
  74. 122. Dos + cuatro — Answer: SEIS
  75. 124. China's largest ethnic group — Answer: HAN. Hint: This ethnic group shares its name with a famous dynasty! 🇨🇳
  76. 126. Wellness resort offering — Answer: SPA
  77. 127. Horn contents at a Viking feast — Answer: ALE
  78. 128. Depressed — Answer: LOW

Recent NYT Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

NYT Crossword 14 February 2026NYT Crossword 13 February 2026NYT Crossword 12 February 2026NYT Crossword 11 February 2026NYT Crossword 10 February 2026NYT Crossword 9 February 2026NYT Crossword 8 February 2026

The answer to “"What a relief!"” in the New York Times crossword is PHEW — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on February 15, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 21-Across. Other answers we've seen for this clue include AHH. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“"What a relief!"” answer

PHEW (4 letters) — most recent; also seen as AHH

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is PHEW.

Why the answer is PHEW

PHEW is the 4-letter solution that fits ""What a relief!"" in the NYT Crossword crossword on February 15, 2026 (21-Across). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

Other answers for “"What a relief!"”

New York Times has used this clue with more than one solution. Besides PHEW, it has also been AHH. Every appearance we've indexed is listed below with the date it ran.

More clues from the NYT Crossword on February 15, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times answer list for February 15, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Crossword answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Crossword

The New York Times crossword, edited by Will Shortz, is the most famous daily puzzle in the United States. It runs a 15×15 grid Monday through Saturday and a larger 21×21 grid on Sunday, and its difficulty deliberately ramps through the week: Monday is the most approachable, Saturday the toughest, with Thursday often reserved for a trick or twist like rebus squares. This page covers a Sunday puzzle. A straight-definition entry is the kind of solid mid-grid answer that anchors the trickier crossings around it. Because the NYT reuses short, crossing-friendly words regularly, seeing them once makes them easier to spot next time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “"What a relief!"”?

The answer is PHEW, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on February 15, 2026. Other answers for this clue include AHH.

How many letters is the answer to “"What a relief!"”?

4 letters: PHEW. Earlier fills for this clue have also been AHH (3).

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on February 15, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 21-Across. Earlier appearances: February 11, 2025 → AHH.

Can “"What a relief!"” have a different answer?

Yes. Besides PHEW, New York Times has also used AHH for this clue. Every date and answer is listed above.

Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for February 15, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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