Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones? NYT Crossword Clue

By Emre Parlak / February 19, 2026

Crossword Answer

1 ? L

2 ? E

3 ? S

4 ? S

5 ? E

6 ? R

7 ? O

8 ? F

9 ? T

10 ? W

11 ? O

12 ? E

13 ? V

14 ? I

15 ? L

16 ? S

Hint

Interactive Solver for Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones? Crossword Clue

Drag letters from the pool into “Your Answer”, then reorder them to match the solution.

Your Answer 16 Letter

Current guess: —

Letter Pool

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Unlock the puzzle's secrets with Daze's progressive hints!

Hint 1

hint

Reveal Hint

When faced with two undesirable paths, choose the one that leads to fewer regrets.

Hint 2

meaning

Reveal Hint

A choice between two unfavorable options, selecting the one that is less harmful or objectionable.

Hint 3

explanation

Reveal Hint

The clue refers to the phrase '????????????????,' which is often used to describe choosing the more acceptable option between two undesirable ones. The mention of 'circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones' suggests a visual representation where one set is preferable to the other, aligning with the idea of selecting the lesser evil.

NYT Crossword February 19 2026 Answers

Tap a cell to show its letter

1 ? J
2 ? E
3 ? T
4 ? T
5 ? T
6 ? R
7 ? I
8 ? B
9 ? E
10 ? S
11 ? P
12 ? E
13 ? C
14 ? A
? T
? O
? M
15 ? H
? A
? V
? I
? N
16 ? G
17 ? L
? A
? M
? A
18 ? C
? R
? U
? I
19 ? S
? I
? N
? F
? O
? R
? A
20 ? B
? R
? U
? I
? SIN
21 ? K
? E
? G
22 ? A
? R
? K
23 ? S
? I
? L
? L
24 ? P
? R
? O
25 ? H
26 ? I
? S
? S
27 ? C
? L
? O
28 ? S
? E
? S
29 ? S
30 ? I
? N
? G
? SIN
? T
31 ? H
32 ? E
33 ? S
? H
? O
? W
? E
? R
34 ? S
? T
? U
? N
? G
35 ? A
? L
? I
36 ? N
? S
? A
37 ? N
? O
? T
? E
38 ? W
? H
? I
? R
39 ? R
? S
40 ? B
41 ? A
42 ? N
43 ? A
44 ? O
45 ? U
? R
46 ? T
? E
? E
47 ? P
? E
? C
? O
? S
48 ? B
? U
? S
? I
49 ? N
? E
? S
? SIN
50 ? S
? I
? D
? E
? R
? S
51 ? L
? O
? S
? E
? T
? O
52 ? T
? E
? S
? S
53 ? B
? E
? N
54 ? M
? E
? G
55 ? A
56 ? O
? R
? C
57 ? H
58 ? O
59 ? P
60 ? L
? E
? S
61 ? S
? E
? R
? O
? F
62 ? T
? W
? O
? E
63 ? V
? I
? L
? S
64 ? I
? C
? A
? N
65 ? S
? O
? A
? K
? E
? D
66 ? E
? G
? G
? S
67 ? P
? H
? I
? L
68 ? D
? R
? O
? N
? E
69 ? T
? H
? A
? T

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19D

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20D

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28D

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42D

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43D

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45D

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47D

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48D

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49D

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50D

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51D

Medieval cure-all Crossword Clue

53D

Radar operator’s concern Crossword Clue

55D

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56D

Wilson of the Frat Pack Crossword Clue

58D

Actress Kurylenko Crossword Clue

59D

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61D

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62D

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63D

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Clue Analysis

The 16-letter answer to “Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones?” in the NYT Crossword February 19 2026 is LESSEROFTWOEVILS.

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Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

At Daze Puzzle, we understand that every clue is a puzzle within a larger puzzle. Our team of dedicated human experts and puzzle lovers solves these challenges daily to help you succeed. Below, we answer common questions about this specific clue.

A: The most common and recent 16-letter answer for "Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones?" is LESSEROFTWOEVILS.

A: The clue refers to the phrase 'lesser of two evils,' which is often used to describe choosing the more acceptable option between two undesirable ones. The mention of 'circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones' suggests a visual representation where one set is preferable to the other, aligning with the idea of selecting the lesser evil.

A: This clue was last seen in the NYT Crossword on February 19, 2026.

A: A choice between two unfavorable options, selecting the one that is less harmful or objectionable.

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Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones? NYT Crossword Clue

Crossword Answer

Interactive Solver for Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones? Crossword Clue