NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 18, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorJoseph Gangi
Today’s NYT 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
1A
"We're the best!," e.g. (5)
Starts with B, ends with TBOAST→
6A
Lengthy pitch (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSPIEL→
11A
Web access co. (3)
Starts with I, ends with PISP→
14A
Mushroom in ramen (5)
Starts with E, ends with IENOKI→
15A
Trunks (5)
Starts with T, ends with ITORSI→
16A
Platoon sgt., e.g. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONCO→
17A
Feats performed on knights' quests (11)
Starts with D, ends with QDARINGRESQQ→
19A
"Platoon" setting, for short (3)
Starts with N, ends with MNAM→
20A
___ tight (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSIT→
21A
Dig in (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEAT→
22A
Appropriate inappropriately (5)
Starts with U, ends with PUSURP→
24A
Go off on (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRAILAT→
27A
Bear with a message (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSMOKEY→
29A
"Colorful" Atlantic Coast Conference team (12)
Starts with S, ends with ESYRAQQORANGE→
32A
Helpful (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOFUSE→
35A
Some radar blips (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUFOS→
36A
Reveal private data of, in modern lingo (3)
Starts with D, ends with XDOX→
37A
Mama's mama (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANANA→
38A
Jake's love in "The Sun Also Rises" (5)
Starts with B, ends with TBRETT→
40A
Bit of aerial arts equipment (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHOOP→
41A
Word with ball or card (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECUE→
42A
Lake ___, body formerly known as Lac du Chat (4)
Starts with E, ends with EERIE→
44A
Follow-up to an oath (12)
Starts with E, ends with HEXQQMYFRENCH→
48A
Fluid for a lighter (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBUTANE→
49A
Crosses off (6)
Starts with X, ends with TXESOUT→
52A
Get schooled (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLEARN→
53A
Volleyball team count (3)
Starts with S, ends with XSIX→
54A
OK signal (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNOD→
56A
Off-line, online (3)
Starts with I, ends with LIRL→
57A
Point at the wrong person (11)
Starts with U, ends with QUNJUSTLYAQQ→
62A
The time of one's life? (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
63A
He said "Every great film should seem new every time you see it" (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEBERT→
64A
Smooth transition (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESEGUE→
65A
Visibly embarrassed (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRED→
66A
Alley components (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLANES→
67A
Preserved, in a way (5)
Starts with D, ends with DDRIED→
Down
1D
Some queens (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBEDS→
3D
It comes from the heart (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAORTA→
4D
Glide down a piste (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISKI→
5D
___ soldier (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTIN→
6D
Levels (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASTRATA→
7D
One versed in verse (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPOET→
8D
Agcy. that takes many forms (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIRS→
9D
Title for a J.D. (3)
Starts with E, ends with QESQ→
10D
Spirits (7)
Starts with L, ends with SLIQUORS→
11D
"That's what she said" and others (9)
Starts with I, ends with SINNUENDOS→
12D
Beyond impressive, informally (9)
Starts with S, ends with DSCARYGOOD→
13D
Ceremony (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPOMP→
18D
One of several in a watch (4)
Starts with G, ends with RGEAR→
23D
Caribbean music genre (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASKA→
25D
Rae of "Insecure" (4)
Starts with I, ends with AISSA→
27D
About 35,000 for the Taj Mahal: Abbr. (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSQFT→
28D
No longer relevant (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMOOT→
30D
___ Nation (activist organization since 1990) (5)
Starts with Q, ends with RQUEER→
32D
T.H. White's "The ___ and Future King" (4)
Starts with O, ends with EONCE→
33D
Knockoff version of a bejeweled Imperial egg, e.g. (9)
Starts with F, ends with EFAUXBERGE→
34D
In a class by oneself (9)
Starts with U, ends with DUNEQUALED→
38D
___ Mawr (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBRYN→
39D
Teeming (with) (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERIFE→
40D
Greeting from Kermit (4)
Starts with H, ends with OHIHO→
42D
Name that sounds like a computer guidebook (7)
Starts with E, ends with LEMANUEL→
43D
Hosts, for short (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMCS→
45D
N.F.L. div. (3)
Starts with Q, ends with RQTR→
47D
Coming right up (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNEXT→
50D
Eel, at a sushi bar (5)
Starts with U, ends with IUNAGI→
51D
"Ratatouille" topper (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETOQUE→
52D
Fabrication expert (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLIAR→
53D
"I guess so" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESURE→
55D
Barred from competing, for short (4)
Starts with D, ends with DDQED→
58D
Trail Blazers' grp. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANBA→
59D
"Severance" actress Tullock (3)
Starts with J, ends with NJEN→
60D
Microdosing drug (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLSD→
61D
"Quit ___ yappin'!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with RYER→
How to solve the NYT Crossword
Fill the grid so that every Across and Down answer matches its clue. Numbered squares mark where answers begin. Theme answers, usually the longest entries, share a twist that the puzzle's title or a revealer clue explains. Thursday puzzles are known for rebus squares and other tricks that bend the normal rules.
Want the full method? Read our NYT Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the NYT Crossword on the hub.
NYT Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Start with Monday-level clues. Even on a Saturday, a handful of clues are straightforward. Find them and build outward from the crossings.
- Hunt for the revealer. A clue that references other entries or ends in "?" often explains the theme. Solving it first unlocks the long answers.
- Respect the day of the week. Thursday means tricks like rebus squares; Friday and Saturday mean long, clever fill with misleading clues.
Done for today? Try The Mini, The Midi, LA Times Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous NYT Crossword puzzles
NYT Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the NYT Crossword for December 18, 2025?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Joseph Gangi and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: "We're the best!," e.g. (BOAST); Lengthy pitch (SPIEL); Web access co. (ISP).
What time does the NYT Crossword come out?+
The next day's puzzle is released at 10:00 pm Eastern Time Monday to Friday and at 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Where can I find past NYT Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all Across and Down answers, plus a page for each clue. Click any date above.
