NYT Crossword hints and answer for November 20, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across38
Down36
ConstructorAdam Wagner
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
Duds in bed? (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPJS→
4A
Place for a castle (5)
Starts with B, ends with HBEACH→
9A
Retailer across the street from Rockefeller Center (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSAKS→
13A
Bread for dipping (3)
Starts with S, ends with PSOP→
14A
Very, very (5)
Starts with U, ends with AULTRA→
15A
Very, very particular (4)
Starts with A, ends with LANAL→
16A
Cubing needs (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSKINDIVES→
18A
Like an S-Tier video game character (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELITE→
19A
Computer pros (5)
Starts with T, ends with STECHS→
20A
In position (8)
Starts with S, ends with DSITUATED→
22A
Beurre demi-___ (salted butter, in France) (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSEL→
23A
Turns on (10)
Starts with B, ends with SBETTERDAYS→
25A
___ ejemplo (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPOR→
26A
"Hail," in Latin (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAVE→
27A
Scottsbluff's state: Abbr. (3)
Starts with N, ends with BNEB→
28A
Overlook for an award, say (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSNUB→
30A
Hitchhiker's hope (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERIDE→
32A
Niihau neighbor (5)
Starts with K, ends with IKAUAI→
36A
Make, as money (7)
Starts with A, ends with TAMBIENT→
38A
Ensnare (7)
Starts with S, ends with PSTARMAP→
40A
Puts through the paces (5)
Starts with T, ends with STESTS→
41A
On the topic of (4)
Starts with A, ends with OASTO→
43A
Spanx founder Blakely (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASARA→
44A
Spanish diminutive suffix (3)
Starts with I, ends with OITO→
46A
"Excuse me!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with YHEY→
47A
Video game customization, informally (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMOD→
48A
Fops (10)
Starts with D, ends with SDAMNEDLIES→
52A
Surfboard stabilizer (3)
Starts with F, ends with NFIN→
53A
Vesper Lynd portrayer in "Casino Royale" (8)
Starts with E, ends with NEVAGREEN→
54A
"Star Wars" character originally portrayed by a puppet that weighed over a ton (5)
Starts with J, ends with AJABBA→
56A
They may be threaded (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBROWS→
57A
He doesn't belong ... or a hint to the circled letters in 16-, 23-, 36-, 38- and 48-Across (9)
Starts with O, ends with TODDMANOUT→
60A
Singer with the #1 hits "Umbrella" and "Disturbia," familiarly (4)
Starts with R, ends with IRIRI→
61A
Levi's Stadium player, informally (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNINER→
62A
Actor who participated in the first WrestleMania event, in 1985 (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMRT→
63A
Came down to earth (4)
Starts with A, ends with TALIT→
64A
"Jumping Jehoshaphat!" (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEGADS→
65A
Supporting article? (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABRA→
Down
1D
Subtle attention-getter (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
2D
"Guess I'm the dummy" (9)
Starts with J, ends with EJOKESONME→
3D
Dry seasons? (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSPICERUBS→
4D
Signs of spring (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBUDS→
6D
Off-road rover, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with VATV→
7D
Sporting a tuft of feathers (7)
Starts with C, ends with DCRESTED→
8D
Knows the solution (5)
Starts with H, ends with THASIT→
9D
Restaurants' "serve yourself" features (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSALADBARS→
10D
Baker of R&B (5)
Starts with A, ends with AANITA→
11D
Actress Sagal (5)
Starts with K, ends with YKATEY→
12D
They make runs at the Winter Olympics (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSLEDS→
17D
Blues' grp. (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNHL→
18D
"I've got the answer!" (6)
Starts with E, ends with AEUREKA→
21D
Atomic number of neon (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTEN→
23D
Rustic wedding venue (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBARN→
24D
Musical with the showstopper "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (5)
Starts with E, ends with AEVITA→
25D
Exam for some sophs. (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSAT→
29D
Humor with an edge (9)
Starts with B, ends with TBITINGWIT→
31D
First name in cosmetics (5)
Starts with E, ends with EESTEE→
33D
Dish that creates an explosion of rich flavors, in modern parlance (9)
Starts with U, ends with BUMAMIBOMB→
34D
Narrator/antagonist in "Hamilton" (9)
Starts with A, ends with RAARONBURR→
35D
Pixel alternative (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIPAD→
37D
Perfume compounds (6)
Starts with E, ends with SESTERS→
39D
Most characters in Pixar's first film (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOYS→
45D
"___ to Joy" (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
48D
Messing around on TV? (5)
Starts with D, ends with ADEBRA→
49D
Mars follower, in Marseille (5)
Starts with A, ends with LAVRIL→
50D
Source of the word "tiki" (5)
Starts with M, ends with IMAORI→
51D
Sierra ___ (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELEONE→
52D
Summer cooler (3)
Starts with F, ends with NFAN→
54D
Tipping points? (4)
Starts with J, ends with SJARS→
55D
Palindromic flour (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
58D
The stuff of life (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADNA→
59D
___ school (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMED→
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 November 20, 2025?+
74 clues: 38 Across and 36 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Wagner and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Duds in bed? (PJS); Place for a castle (BEACH); Retailer across the street from Rockefeller Center (SAKS).
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.
