Newsday Crossword hints and answers for December 16, 2025
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleBLANK SPACES
Today’s Newsday Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
•
Touches on the shoulder (4)
Starts with T, ends with STAPS→
•
Sounds of regret (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSIGHS→
•
Traditional kilt wearer (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSCOT→
•
Clear-sky color (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBLUE→
•
Be patient for (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAWAIT→
•
Measly (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPUNY→
•
Really ticked off (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESORE→
•
Filled with dryer fuzz (5)
Starts with L, ends with YLINTY→
•
Back of an envelope (4)
Starts with F, ends with PFLAP→
•
Sea bordering Saudi Arabia (11)
Starts with P, ends with FPERSIANGULF→
•
Make a knot in (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETIE→
•
Calculate a sum (3)
Starts with A, ends with DADD→
•
Annoy greatly (7)
Starts with P, ends with BPERTURB→
•
"Canine" trees (8)
Starts with D, ends with SDOGWOODS→
•
"__ Sir or Madam..." (4)
Starts with D, ends with RDEAR→
•
Night before a holiday (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEVE→
•
Use as a bed (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLIEON→
•
Justice Kagan (5)
Starts with E, ends with AELENA→
•
Gala party (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFETE→
•
First Soviet leader (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLENIN→
•
Self-images (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEGOS→
•
Courtroom event (5)
Starts with T, ends with LTRIAL→
•
Short skirts (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMINIS→
•
Hill-building insect (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
•
Cpls. and sgts. (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNCOS→
•
Part-spaniel mixed-breed canine (8)
Starts with C, ends with OCOCKAPOO→
•
Most-spoken language in Africa (7)
Starts with S, ends with ISWAHILI→
•
Baby goat (3)
Starts with K, ends with DKID→
•
Defiant cry (3)
Starts with H, ends with HHAH→
•
No longer valid (11)
Starts with N, ends with DNULLANDVOID→
•
Molecule portion (4)
Starts with A, ends with MATOM→
•
Cash, informally (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMOOLA→
•
Swirling current (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDDY→
•
Took a tumble (4)
Starts with F, ends with LFELL→
•
Biblical hymn (5)
Starts with P, ends with MPSALM→
•
"__ of your business!" (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENONE→
•
Difficult journey (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTREK→
•
Taste or hearing (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESENSE→
•
Walked heavily (on) (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTROD→
Down
•
Cookbook meas. (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTBSP→
•
__ vera gel (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
•
Contented cat's sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPURR→
•
Playground plank (6)
Starts with S, ends with WSEESAW→
•
Liquid in dressing (8)
Starts with S, ends with LSALADOIL→
•
"You're defeated!" (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIWIN→
•
Group of outlaws (4)
Starts with G, ends with GGANG→
•
Ask to borrow cash (5)
Starts with H, ends with PHITUP→
•
Arranged, as hair (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSTYLED→
•
Sunscreen letters (3)
Starts with S, ends with FSPF→
•
Difference between two societies (10)
Starts with C, ends with PCULTUREGAP→
•
Walking __ (elated) (5)
Starts with O, ends with RONAIR→
•
Laid-back person (5)
Starts with T, ends with BTYPEB→
•
Revered person (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
•
At no cost (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFREE→
•
"Tall" story (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETALE→
•
Skillful (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDEFT→
•
Turn __ a new leaf (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
•
Have extensive debts (10)
Starts with G, ends with EGETINAHOLE→
•
Consider to be (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDEEM→
•
__ boom (jet sound) (5)
Starts with S, ends with CSONIC→
•
Spanish boy (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONINO→
•
Taboo thing (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONONO→
•
Concerning, in memos (4)
Starts with A, ends with OASTO→
•
Per item (4)
Starts with E, ends with HEACH→
•
Sam for Samuel, for instance (8)
Starts with N, ends with ENICKNAME→
•
"Tender" beef cut (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOIN→
•
Slide on an icy road (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSKID→
•
Losing streaks (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSLUMPS→
•
Beginning (6)
Starts with A, ends with TADVENT→
•
Elevator passageway (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSHAFT→
•
Reservoir contents (5)
Starts with W, ends with RWATER→
•
"You defeated me" (5)
Starts with I, ends with EILOSE→
•
Money borrowed (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOAN→
•
"__ well that ends well" (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALLS→
•
Strong smell (4)
Starts with O, ends with RODOR→
•
SSN, to the IRS (4)
Starts with I, ends with OIDNO→
•
Recolored (4)
Starts with D, ends with DDYED→
•
Jan. holiday honoree (3)
Starts with M, ends with KMLK→
How to solve the Newsday Crossword
Fill the 15x15 grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title at the top hints at the theme. Our answer pages list every clue in order with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to a page for each individual clue.
Want the full method? Read our Newsday Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the Newsday Crossword on the hub.
Newsday Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Use the title. Newsday puzzles are titled, and the title nearly always explains the theme entries.
- Know the pseudonyms. Puzzles by "Lester Ruff" are easier; "Anna Stiga" is Stan again, backwards, and tougher.
- Expect the Stumper to be brutal. Saturday clues are deliberately vague. Fill short words first and let crossings carry you.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, NYT Crossword, USA Today Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous Newsday Crossword puzzles
Newsday Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the Newsday Crossword for December 16, 2025?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Billie Truitt.
What are some answers in today’s Newsday Crossword?+
For example: Touches on the shoulder (TAPS); Sounds of regret (SIGHS); Traditional kilt wearer (SCOT).
Who makes the Newsday Crossword?+
It is edited by Stan Newman, who also constructs many of the puzzles under pseudonyms.
Where can I find past Newsday Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
