NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 9, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
ConstructorKate Hawkins
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
Goes on to say (4)
Starts with A, ends with SADDS→
5A
San Diego baseballer (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPADRE→
10A
Livens (up) (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEPS→
14A
Termites, for an aardwolf (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDIET→
15A
Cup-shaped flower (5)
Starts with T, ends with PTULIP→
16A
Give off (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEMIT→
17A
"Judging from the information available to me …" (15)
Starts with A, ends with LASFARASICANTELL→
20A
Unadulterated (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPURE→
21A
San Francisco-to-Santa Cruz dir. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
22A
Propellers of a shell (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOARS→
23A
"These are merely my spur-of-the-moment suggestions …" (15)
Starts with J, ends with GJUSTSPITBALLING→
27A
Gobbled up (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
28A
Abu Dhabi's country, for short (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUAE→
29A
Notable time period (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
30A
Gossip, in slang (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
31A
Accurse (6)
Starts with B, ends with NBEDAMN→
33A
33-Down, across the Atlantic (3)
Starts with Z, ends with EZEE→
34A
"Oh, ___!" (hit Broadway farce about Mrs. Lincoln) (4)
Starts with M, ends with YMARY→
35A
38A
Singer/actress Lady ___ (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGAGA→
41A
Historical (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOLD→
42A
Got a good reaction, as a joke (6)
Starts with L, ends with DLANDED→
46A
Equal: Prefix (3)
Starts with I, ends with OISO→
47A
Swim-bike-run race, for short (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
48A
Sound from someone sitting down at the end of a long day (3)
Starts with A, ends with HAAH→
49A
Game with Skip and Reverse cards (3)
Starts with U, ends with OUNO→
50A
"Here's my two cents, which might not amount to much …" (15)
Starts with F, ends with HFORWHATITSWORTH→
54A
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a ___" (old maxim) (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFIRE→
55A
Pre-digital TV screen tech (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCRT→
56A
Not close by (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
57A
"Feel free to dismiss this idea — however …" (15)
Starts with O, ends with TONLYATHOUGHTBUT→
61A
Survey (4)
Starts with P, ends with LPOLL→
62A
Temporary tattoo dye (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHENNA→
63A
"Frozen" character who sings "Let It Go" (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELSA→
64A
Influence (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSWAY→
65A
Burros (5)
Starts with A, ends with SASSES→
66A
Pair in a water polo pool (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNETS→
Down
1D
Computing pioneer Lovelace (3)
Starts with A, ends with AADA→
3D
Neutralized, as an explosive situation (7)
Starts with D, ends with DDEFUSED→
4D
Launch (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSTART→
5D
Org. in charge of school fund-raisers (3)
Starts with P, ends with APTA→
6D
One who might ask "Fair dinkum?" (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAUSSIE→
7D
Like some minor celebrities (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDLIST→
8D
Asahi Super Dry or Kirin Lager (8)
Starts with R, ends with RRICEBEER→
9D
Org. that oversees air quality initiatives (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
10D
Bit in a round of "He loves me, he loves me not" (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPETAL→
11D
Professor ___ (title for some retirees) (7)
Starts with E, ends with AEMERITA→
12D
Light lager (7)
Starts with P, ends with RPILSNER→
13D
The Cards, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSTL→
18D
Cover letter accompaniment (6)
Starts with R, ends with ERESUME→
19D
Mardi Gras city, informally (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANOLA→
24D
Music app named for a figure in Greek myth (7)
Starts with P, ends with APANDORA→
25D
Pigmented rings (7)
Starts with A, ends with SAREOLAS→
26D
Part of L.G.B.T.Q.+ (3)
Starts with G, ends with YGAY→
32D
"By Jove, that's it!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAHA→
33D
33-Across, across the Atlantic (3)
Starts with Z, ends with DZED→
34D
Web portal launched with Windows 95 (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMSN→
36D
Malfunctions in the Matrix, in "The Matrix" (8)
Starts with G, ends with SGLITCHES→
37D
Sound of a sad trombone (6)
Starts with W, ends with HWAHWAH→
38D
Many an animated meme loop (3)
Starts with G, ends with FGIF→
39D
To date (7)
Starts with A, ends with WASOFNOW→
40D
Silverback, for one (7)
Starts with G, ends with AGORILLA→
43D
Built to last (7)
Starts with D, ends with EDURABLE→
44D
Give for safekeeping (7)
Starts with E, ends with TENTRUST→
45D
"How stupid of me!" (3)
Starts with D, ends with HDOH→
47D
"Edie & ___: A Very Long Engagement" (2009 documentary) (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATHEA→
48D
Bring into harmony (6)
Starts with A, ends with EATTUNE→
51D
With a wink, say (5)
Starts with W, ends with YWRYLY→
52D
Smooths (out) (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIRONS→
53D
On a regular basis (5)
Starts with O, ends with NOFTEN→
57D
Special ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOPS→
58D
"J to ___ L-O! The Remixes" (2002 Jennifer Lopez album) (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATHA→
59D
One of the four fundamental states of matter (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGAS→
60D
Some Ph.D. students (3)
Starts with T, ends with STAS→
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 9, 2025?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kate Hawkins and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Goes on to say (ADDS); San Diego baseballer (PADRE); Livens (up) (PEPS).
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.
