NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 29, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
ConstructorChase Dittrich
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
Life story, in brief (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBIO→
4A
The "S" of NASA (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPACE→
9A
Where Shrek lives (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSWAMP→
14A
Kerfuffle (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
15A
Outer limits (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEDGES→
16A
They're contained within books (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPAGES→
17A
Is severely underpaid (15)
Starts with W, ends with SWORKSFORPEANUTS→
20A
Andean animal with a long neck (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALLAMA→
21A
Earth goddess (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGAIA→
22A
Condé ___ (magazine publisher) (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNAST→
23A
"Tsk! Tsk!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHAME→
25A
Humorist Bombeck (4)
Starts with E, ends with AERMA→
27A
Motown or RCA (11)
Starts with R, ends with LRECORDLABEL→
32A
Particular place (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSPOT→
35A
Stephen of "V for Vendetta" (3)
Starts with R, ends with AREA→
36A
Country that contains the southern slope of Mount Everest (5)
Starts with N, ends with LNEPAL→
38A
Chicago trains (3)
Starts with E, ends with SELS→
39A
Seating area for 12 peers (7)
Starts with J, ends with XJURYBOX→
42A
Piece of Grubhub info, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
43A
Stringed instrument that rests on the ground (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCELLO→
45A
Tin Man's need (3)
Starts with O, ends with LOIL→
46A
Like the Mariana Trench (4)
Starts with D, ends with PDEEP→
47A
Works that are heard rather than read (11)
Starts with B, ends with EBOOKSONTAPE→
51A
Sister of Meg, Jo and Amy in "Little Women" (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBETH→
52A
Gives the ax (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFIRES→
55A
Soaks (up) (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSOPS→
58A
Puppy sounds (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARFS→
61A
Fundamental belief (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTENET→
63A
66A
Put on TV (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAIRED→
67A
Molars and canines (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTEETH→
68A
Signal for an actor to go onstage (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECUE→
69A
Pumpkin, e.g. (5)
Starts with G, ends with DGOURD→
70A
"Alas ..." (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSADLY→
71A
TV's "___ Lasso" (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTED→
Down
1D
Cry like a baby (4)
Starts with B, ends with LBAWL→
2D
Admired figures (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIDOLS→
3D
Battle cry of the U.S. Marine Corps (5)
Starts with O, ends with HOORAH→
4D
Kind of bagel (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESESAME→
5D
Many a PC file (3)
Starts with P, ends with FPDF→
6D
Really eager (4)
Starts with A, ends with GAGOG→
7D
Actor Michael of "Arrested Development" (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACERA→
8D
Caught sight of (6)
Starts with E, ends with DESPIED→
9D
Place to be pampered (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
10D
1996 #1 hit for the Spice Girls (7)
Starts with W, ends with EWANNABE→
11D
Water, in Colombia (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGUA→
12D
Team that plays at Citi Field (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMETS→
13D
"Over here!" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
18D
Onetime retail chain giant (5)
Starts with K, ends with TKMART→
19D
___ Grey tea (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEARL→
24D
Very light brown (4)
Starts with E, ends with UECRU→
26D
Tail-less cat (4)
Starts with M, ends with XMANX→
28D
Above, in poetry (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROER→
29D
Synthetic fiber (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRAYON→
30D
Fencing sword (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEPEE→
31D
Not on time (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELATE→
32D
"Gimme a ___!" (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSEC→
33D
Commoner (4)
Starts with P, ends with BPLEB→
34D
Norway's capital (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOSLO→
37D
Two lengths of a pool (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLAP→
39D
What a punch line may end (4)
Starts with J, ends with EJOKE→
40D
Part of a drill assembly or comedy routine (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBIT→
41D
"Frozen" snowman (4)
Starts with O, ends with FOLAF→
44D
Seafood with claws (7)
Starts with L, ends with RLOBSTER→
46D
Jeter in the Baseball Hall of Fame (5)
Starts with D, ends with KDEREK→
48D
Rushing yards, e.g., informally (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSTAT→
49D
"Well, dang it!" (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOHRATS→
50D
Slightly out of tune (6)
Starts with P, ends with YPITCHY→
53D
Put into law (5)
Starts with E, ends with TENACT→
54D
Move smoothly to another topic (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESEGUE→
55D
Without a date (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSTAG→
56D
River past Cincinnati (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHIO→
57D
Lima's land (4)
Starts with P, ends with UPERU→
59D
Tiny canine pest (4)
Starts with F, ends with AFLEA→
60D
Drove over the legal limit (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSPED→
62D
Ticked (off) (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTEED→
64D
Peculiar (3)
Starts with O, ends with DODD→
65D
The Falcons, on a scoreboard (3)
Starts with A, ends with LATL→
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 29, 2025?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Chase Dittrich and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Life story, in brief (BIO); The "S" of NASA (SPACE); Where Shrek lives (SWAMP).
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.
