NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 23, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues75
Across36
Down39
ConstructorNathan Hale
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
Longtime CBS procedural with multiple spinoffs (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNCIS→
5A
Highly capable (5)
Starts with A, ends with TADEPT→
10A
Ctrl+S command (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAVE→
14A
Alternative to check or credit card (4)
Starts with C, ends with HCASH→
15A
Secondary subject for a college student (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMINOR→
16A
Short video (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCLIP→
17A
Appropriately named bus driver on "The Simpsons" (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOTTO→
18A
Alternative to épée or foil, in British English (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESABRE→
19A
Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOLGA→
20A
Classic Hanukkah treat (13)
Starts with C, ends with NCHOCOLATECOIN→
23A
Brownish-yellow fabric (5)
Starts with K, ends with IKHAKI→
24A
Institution of higher education, to a Brit (3)
Starts with U, ends with IUNI→
25A
Sleeper's breathing problem (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAPNEA→
27A
Lead-in to "drink and be merry" (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEAT→
28A
Classic classroom party treat (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECUPCAKE→
31A
Antitrust enforcement org. (3)
Starts with F, ends with CFTC→
32A
Unfortunate accident (6)
Starts with M, ends with PMISHAP→
34A
Clever (6)
Starts with A, ends with EASTUTE→
36A
Highly pleased about (7)
Starts with P, ends with FPROUDOF→
38A
Colored, as church glass (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSTAINED→
39A
Classic Halloween treat (9)
Starts with C, ends with NCANDYCORN→
41A
It's part of the job (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTASK→
44A
Prefix with classic (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONEO→
49A
Take advantage of (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUSE→
50A
"Where'd you hear that?" (7)
Starts with S, ends with OSAYSWHO→
54A
Dream Team country, for short (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUSA→
55A
Take responsibility (6)
Starts with S, ends with PSTEPUP→
57A
Cry from a movie director (6)
Starts with A, ends with TANDCUT→
59A
Classic Yuletide treat (15)
Starts with C, ends with ECHRISTMASCOOKIE→
63A
Prayer ender (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
64A
This should clear things up! (5)
Starts with L, ends with KLASIK→
65A
Reject, as a bill (4)
Starts with V, ends with OVETO→
66A
Nothing, in Nogales (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANADA→
67A
Cries out (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYELPS→
68A
Biblical garden (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
Down
1D
Sgt. or cpl. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONCO→
2D
Go off a ski jump, say (8)
Starts with C, ends with RCATCHAIR→
3D
"Oh, really?" (8)
Starts with I, ends with OISTHATSO→
4D
Tried to identify, in a way, as a wrapped gift (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSHOOK→
5D
Playground retort (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAMSO→
6D
1990s internet option (6)
Starts with D, ends with PDIALUP→
7D
With all judges present (6)
Starts with E, ends with CENBANC→
8D
___ de Rossi, "Arrested Development" actress (6)
Starts with P, ends with APORTIA→
9D
Aspen or pine (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
10D
Reporter's big get (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSCOOP→
11D
Just for grins (8)
Starts with A, ends with NALLINFUN→
12D
Short version of an impactful story (8)
Starts with V, ends with EVIGNETTE→
13D
Org. regulating water safety (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
21D
Insect that emerges en masse every 13 or 17 years (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACICADA→
22D
Kind of salad whose dressing contains anchovies (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCAESAR→
23D
Former N.B.A. star Shawn with the nickname "Reign Man" (4)
Starts with K, ends with PKEMP→
26D
Nailed, as a test (4)
Starts with A, ends with DACED→
29D
"Once ___ a time …" (4)
Starts with U, ends with NUPON→
30D
Character played by Bruce Lee on "The Green Hornet" (4)
Starts with K, ends with OKATO→
33D
___ Finn (4)
Starts with H, ends with KHUCK→
35D
One of three on the pitchfork in "American Gothic" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETINE→
37D
Big Apple org. that's going to blazes? (4)
Starts with F, ends with YFDNY→
38D
Flat-bottomed boat (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSCOW→
40D
"That's correct!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
41D
Resident of Pisa or Lucca (6)
Starts with T, ends with NTUSCAN→
42D
Condition that may require an inhaler (6)
Starts with A, ends with AASTHMA→
43D
Get more than a little mad (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSEERED→
46D
Like many a dress shirt, with "in" (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTUCKED→
47D
Top execs, colloquially … or what 20-, 28-, 39- and 59-Across are, phonetically? (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECSUITE→
48D
Make negative remarks about (6)
Starts with H, ends with NHATEON→
50D
Not on the up and up, slangily (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSUS→
51D
In a fitting way (5)
Starts with A, ends with YAPTLY→
52D
Breaks (into), as a computer system (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHACKS→
53D
Middle name for Lennon starting in 1969 (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
56D
"Escape (The ___ Colada Song)" (4)
Starts with P, ends with APINA→
58D
Sign of peace (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDOVE→
60D
Sallie or Fannie follower (3)
Starts with M, ends with EMAE→
61D
Hand-y communication method, for short? (3)
Starts with A, ends with LASL→
62D
Drink slowly (3)
Starts with S, ends with PSIP→
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 23, 2025?+
75 clues: 36 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Nathan Hale and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Longtime CBS procedural with multiple spinoffs (NCIS); Highly capable (ADEPT); Ctrl+S command (SAVE).
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.
