NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 26, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across35
Down35
ConstructorAndrew Spooner
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
Dawdler (8)
Starts with S, ends with ESLOWPOKE→
9A
Cuts short (6)
Starts with A, ends with SABORTS→
15A
Typical sight in a bank robbery cartoon (8)
Starts with M, ends with GMONEYBAG→
16A
Kitsch (6)
Starts with L, ends with TLOWART→
17A
Doing some theater work (8)
Starts with U, ends with GUSHERING→
18A
Cracked wheat used in tabbouleh (6)
Starts with B, ends with RBULGUR→
19A
One whose beauty is on the inside (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGEODE→
20A
Whole kit and caboodle (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGAMUT→
22A
___-Latin (like some modern coinages) (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONEO→
23A
Plant that's toxic to cats (4)
Starts with L, ends with YLILY→
24A
Some babysitters (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNANAS→
25A
A cold one is unexpected (and usually unappreciated) (4)
Starts with C, ends with LCALL→
26A
Since Jan. 1, on a pay stub (3)
Starts with Y, ends with DYTD→
27A
Tuesday, in French (5)
Starts with M, ends with IMARDI→
28A
Song commonly performed outdoors (5)
Starts with C, ends with LCAROL→
29A
Food that can be prepared de canasta (5)
Starts with T, ends with STACOS→
30A
___ Tuesday (end of the pre-Lenten season) (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESHROVE→
31A
One toeing the line? (15)
Starts with T, ends with RTIGHTROPEWALKER→
35A
Individually (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAPIECE→
36A
Editorialize (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOPINE→
37A
Overly self-assertive (5)
Starts with B, ends with HBRASH→
38A
Like a good sponge cake (5)
Starts with M, ends with TMOIST→
39A
Down Under bird that scientists are working to "de-extinct" (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMOA→
42A
Singular, with or without its first letter (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELONE→
43A
Origin story family in DC Comics (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKENTS→
44A
Facility (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGIFT→
45A
Certain care provider, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
46A
Re-fresh? (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORETRO→
47A
It might be marked with an X (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPORNO→
48A
Linked (with) (6)
Starts with T, ends with NTIEDIN→
52A
Harden and become resistant to change (6)
Starts with O, ends with YOSSIFY→
53A
Life partner, perhaps? (8)
Starts with C, ends with ECELLMATE→
54A
Old coin with a picture of Generalissimo Franco (6)
Starts with P, ends with APESETA→
55A
Treated with respect (8)
Starts with E, ends with DESTEEMED→
Down
1D
How a supervillain might brag (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSMUGLY→
3D
Waiting for support, maybe (6)
Starts with O, ends with DONHOLD→
4D
Like untended plots (5)
Starts with W, ends with YWEEDY→
5D
Funeral ___ (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPYRE→
6D
Broad band? (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOBI→
7D
Royal Australian Air Force insignia (8)
Starts with K, ends with OKANGAROO→
8D
Competition that combines speed with balance (15)
Starts with E, ends with EEGGANDSPOONRACE→
9D
Professor Dumbledore (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALBUS→
10D
Contest (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBOUT→
11D
Bevy : quail :: parliament : ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with LOWL→
12D
The world's end, in Norse mythology (8)
Starts with R, ends with KRAGNAROK→
13D
Mr. or Ms. Right (8)
Starts with T, ends with ETRUELOVE→
14D
Baby sitter? (8)
Starts with S, ends with RSTROLLER→
21D
Half of a classic rum cocktail's name (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMAI→
24D
Component of a nautilus shell (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENACRE→
25D
Eric who wrote and illustrated "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me" (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECARLE→
27D
Stick by a fireplace (5)
Starts with M, ends with HMATCH→
28D
Mantra (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCHANT→
29D
Nearby things (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETHESE→
30D
Like the pope's guards (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSWISS→
31D
Area on which to eat or play cards (8)
Starts with T, ends with PTABLETOP→
32D
"You can absolutely count on me" (8)
Starts with I, ends with EIPROMISE→
33D
Figure in sci-fi's "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," e.g. (8)
Starts with G, ends with SGIANTESS→
34D
Great illustrations (8)
Starts with E, ends with SEPITOMES→
38D
Connected (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMET→
39D
Sister of Moses (6)
Starts with M, ends with MMIRIAM→
40D
Worth considering (6)
Starts with O, ends with EOFNOTE→
41D
Made up (6)
Starts with A, ends with DATONED→
43D
Nation dubbed the "cradle of mankind" (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKENYA→
44D
"Understood?" (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGOTME→
46D
Big break (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRIFT→
47D
Stack (up) (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPILE→
49D
Casting need (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDIE→
51D
Short diner order (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBLT→
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 26, 2025?+
70 clues: 35 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Andrew Spooner and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Dawdler (SLOWPOKE); Cuts short (ABORTS); Typical sight in a bank robbery cartoon (MONEYBAG).
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.
