NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 22, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across39
Down37
ConstructorSuzanne Oliver
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
Deep sleeps (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOMAS→
6A
High-speed Amtrak train (5)
Starts with A, ends with AACELA→
11A
Word with punching or sleeping (3)
Starts with B, ends with GBAG→
14A
One of a battery's poles (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANODE→
15A
Older but ___ (5)
Starts with W, ends with RWISER→
16A
Under the weather (3)
Starts with I, ends with LILL→
17A
Saxophone, trumpet, piano and bass, perhaps (11)
Starts with J, ends with TJAZZQUARTET→
19A
Day-___ paint (3)
Starts with G, ends with OGLO→
20A
"Garfield" dog (4)
Starts with O, ends with EODIE→
21A
"It's freezing!" (3)
Starts with B, ends with RBRR→
22A
Typical "Survivor" locales (5)
Starts with I, ends with SISLES→
24A
Rapper ___ Uzi Vert (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLIL→
25A
Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, for two (11)
Starts with J, ends with SJEDIMASTERS→
28A
Fish that may have an electric charge (3)
Starts with E, ends with LEEL→
29A
Stammering sounds (3)
Starts with E, ends with SERS→
30A
Indignation (7)
Starts with O, ends with EOUTRAGE→
31A
What each U.S. senator represents (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESTATE→
33A
Raggedy ___ (3)
Starts with A, ends with NANN→
34A
Breyers competitor (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEDYS→
35A
Some exams allow them (9)
Starts with O, ends with SOPENNOTES→
39A
Cops, slangily (4)
Starts with P, ends with OPOPO→
42A
Rode the bench (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSAT→
43A
Yoga pose (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASANA→
47A
Enjoying great success (7)
Starts with O, ends with RONATEAR→
49A
What electric cars don't use (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGAS→
51A
Like a 49-Across gauge that's near "Empty" (3)
Starts with L, ends with WLOW→
52A
Overly fussy (11)
Starts with P, ends with YPERSNICKETY→
54A
Bit of forensic evidence (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADNA→
55A
Pink ___ (rock band) (5)
Starts with F, ends with DFLOYD→
56A
Singer DiFranco (3)
Starts with A, ends with IANI→
58A
Mideast export (3)
Starts with O, ends with LOIL→
59A
Cheat … or a punny hint to the four sets of circled letters (11)
Starts with S, ends with ESHORTCHANGE→
63A
French "a" (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUNE→
64A
Hearing-related (5)
Starts with A, ends with LAURAL→
65A
Playwright Chekhov (5)
Starts with A, ends with NANTON→
66A
Kind of lamp that's energy-efficient (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLED→
67A
Easily irritated (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTESTY→
68A
Romeo and Juliet, agewise (5)
Starts with T, ends with STEENS→
Down
1D
Persuades with flattery (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCAJOLES→
2D
Doing keto, perhaps (7)
Starts with O, ends with TONADIET→
3D
Creator of Firefox and Thunderbird (7)
Starts with M, ends with AMOZILLA→
4D
Woodworking tool (4)
Starts with A, ends with EADZE→
5D
Orderly arrangement: Abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with QSEQ→
6D
Oscars and Grammys, e.g. (6)
Starts with A, ends with SAWARDS→
7D
Wispy clouds (5)
Starts with C, ends with ICIRRI→
8D
Approx. (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEST→
9D
Harper ___, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELEE→
10D
Monet or Manet (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARTIST→
11D
Don't blow it! (7)
Starts with B, ends with DBIGLEAD→
12D
Reaction to pollen, e.g. (7)
Starts with A, ends with YALLERGY→
13D
Shiny coatings (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGLOSSES→
18D
Lyft competitor (4)
Starts with U, ends with RUBER→
23D
Heart attack risk factor (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRESS→
25D
Cherokee maker (4)
Starts with J, ends with PJEEP→
26D
"The kissing disease" (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMONO→
27D
Em, to Dorothy (4)
Starts with A, ends with TAUNT→
32D
Foot, in baby talk (6)
Starts with T, ends with YTOOTSY→
33D
Word after fire or carpenter (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
36D
Actor Morales (4)
Starts with E, ends with IESAI→
37D
Drug agent, informally (4)
Starts with N, ends with CNARC→
38D
"No sweat!" (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEASY→
39D
Ball batted up and behind the catcher, say (7)
Starts with P, ends with LPOPFOUL→
40D
Length of a pithy joke (7)
Starts with O, ends with EONELINE→
41D
Released from jail early (7)
Starts with P, ends with DPAROLED→
44D
Pasta preference (7)
Starts with A, ends with EALDENTE→
45D
Nine-sided figure (7)
Starts with N, ends with NNONAGON→
46D
Stirs from sleep (7)
Starts with A, ends with SAWAKENS→
48D
Is over by (6)
Starts with E, ends with TENDSAT→
49D
With a light touch (6)
Starts with G, ends with YGENTLY→
50D
Suffix with problem (4)
Starts with A, ends with CATIC→
53D
Gold standard (5)
Starts with K, ends with TKARAT→
57D
Scourge (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBANE→
60D
Shade of color (3)
Starts with H, ends with EHUE→
61D
Surgery sites, in brief (3)
Starts with O, ends with SORS→
62D
Beanie or bowler (3)
Starts with H, ends with THAT→
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 22, 2025?+
76 clues: 39 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Suzanne Oliver and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Deep sleeps (COMAS); High-speed Amtrak train (ACELA); Word with punching or sleeping (BAG).
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.
