NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 2, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across40
Down38
ConstructorJonathan Baude
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
Posts on a battleship, say (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMASTS→
6A
Comic Idle of Monty Python (4)
Starts with E, ends with CERIC→
10A
Sport with striking and grappling, for short (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMMA→
13A
"Grrr!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with DIMMAD→
14A
Pro ___ (fairly divided) (4)
Starts with R, ends with ARATA→
15A
Ray of light (4)
Starts with B, ends with MBEAM→
16A
Cozy corners (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNOOKS→
17A
Carpe ___ (seize the day: Lat.) (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDIEM→
18A
Breakfast brand originally known as Froffles (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEGGO→
19A
One of 14 in New York's Liberty Island (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACRE→
20A
"Please help!" (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
21A
Decadent dessert (6)
Starts with E, ends with RECLAIR→
23A
Oscar-winning "GoodFellas" actor (8)
Starts with J, ends with IJOEPESCI→
25A
British "facilities" (3)
Starts with L, ends with VLAV→
26A
Number of U.S. states with a single-syllable name (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
27A
The Hawks and the Pelicans, for two (8)
Starts with N, ends with SNBATEAMS→
32A
Longtime home of Stephen Colbert (5)
Starts with C, ends with VCBSTV→
35A
A million years, so to speak (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAGES→
36A
Go on for-ev-er (4)
Starts with D, ends with GDRAG→
37A
Many a TikToker's music rendition (7)
Starts with L, ends with CLIPSYNC→
39A
Deep down (7)
Starts with A, ends with TATHEART→
41A
"That being said …," to a texter (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOTOH→
42A
Like most audiobooks before the rise of streaming (4)
Starts with O, ends with DONCD→
44A
"We have the meats" sloganeer (5)
Starts with A, ends with SARBYS→
45A
Herbal remedy in a cleanse (8)
Starts with D, ends with ADETOXTEA→
47A
Blue Moon, for one (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
48A
"If it be now, ___ not to come": Hamlet (3)
Starts with T, ends with STIS→
49A
Family-friendly film fare (8)
Starts with P, ends with SPGMOVIES→
54A
The "O" of A.O.C. (6)
Starts with O, ends with OOCASIO→
57A
Little devil (3)
Starts with I, ends with PIMP→
58A
Scandinavian city that's home to a bunch of Munch (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOSLO→
59A
Fizzy drink (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACOLA→
60A
Weak, submissive person, in modern slang (4)
Starts with B, ends with ABETA→
62A
Wing it onstage (5)
Starts with A, ends with BADLIB→
64A
"Superfruit" whose name has two diacritics (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACAI→
65A
Carhop's article of footwear (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESKATE→
66A
Go (for) (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
67A
Sweet person (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDOLL→
68A
Not nearly as cool (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLAMER→
Down
1D
Nicki ___, "Starships" rapper (5)
Starts with M, ends with JMINAJ→
2D
Gas brand owned by BP (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMOCO→
3D
Dessert item usually eaten moments after it's made (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESMORE→
4D
Criticize unfairly (14)
Starts with T, ends with TTAKEPOTSHOTSAT→
5D
1960s antiwar grp. (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSDS→
6D
Hospital staffer, for short (5)
Starts with E, ends with CERDOC→
7D
8D
Suffix with Manhattan or Brooklyn (3)
Starts with I, ends with EITE→
9D
Brought up the rear (8)
Starts with C, ends with TCAMELAST→
10D
Prefix that's bigger than kilo- (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMEGA→
11D
Bible figures invoked by O. Henry (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMAGI→
12D
Love of Spanish? (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAMOR→
15D
Grey Goose competitor (14)
Starts with B, ends with ABELVEDEREVODKA→
20D
Chicago-to-Indianapolis dir. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
22D
Hairball hacker (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCAT→
24D
Subject of the Tenth Commandment (4)
Starts with E, ends with YENVY→
28D
Bit in a friendship bracelet (4)
Starts with B, ends with DBEAD→
29D
Many a Mideast native (4)
Starts with A, ends with BARAB→
30D
1970s sitcom title character who "can turn the world on with her smile" (4)
Starts with M, ends with YMARY→
31D
Superiors to cpls. (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSGTS→
33D
What spicy food has (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBITE→
34D
Lay eyes on (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSPOT→
35D
Clearasil target (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACNE→
38D
"Huh, better than I expected" (8)
Starts with N, ends with DNOTSOBAD→
40D
Ring of light (4)
Starts with H, ends with OHALO→
43D
See 7-Down (7)
Starts with C, ends with LCAPITAL→
46D
Top of the hour? (3)
Starts with X, ends with IXII→
47D
Electric guitarist's accessory (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAMP→
50D
Communication system for almost two billion people (5)
Starts with G, ends with LGMAIL→
51D
Belief system for almost two billion people (5)
Starts with I, ends with MISLAM→
52D
Top-tier (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELITE→
53D
Not drunk (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSOBER→
54D
Dos cubed (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOCHO→
55D
Business that's owned and managed by its members (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCOOP→
56D
Frequently (4)
Starts with A, ends with TALOT→
61D
Prefix with conscious (3)
Starts with E, ends with OECO→
62D
Communication syst. in which the letter Z is drawn with one's index finger (3)
Starts with A, ends with LASL→
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 2, 2025?+
78 clues: 40 Across and 38 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Jonathan Baude and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Posts on a battleship, say (MASTS); Comic Idle of Monty Python (ERIC); Sport with striking and grappling, for short (MMA).
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.
