Tuesday's NYT Down Dec 16 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 39 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: March 20 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | June 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | June 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 16, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Tuesday |
| Total Down Clues | 39 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 39 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Genesis or Yes |
| 2 Down | 2. Many a character in "The Grapes of Wrath" |
| 3 Down | 3. Barnyard sound |
| 4 Down | 4. Prepare to be knighted |
| 5 Down | 5. Epitome of simplicity |
| 6 Down | 6. Genre for Genesis or Yes, informally |
| 7 Down | 7. Lead (the way) |
| 8 Down | 8. Glossy finishes |
| 9 Down | 9. Active and enthusiastic sort |
| 10 Down | 10. Approx. |
| 11 Down | 11. Easily found on the internet, say |
| 12 Down | 12. Memo heading |
| 13 Down | 13. Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix" |
| 14 Down | 19. Golden Age studio known for many Astaire/Rogers films |
| 15 Down | 21. You might heave a big one |
| 16 Down | 25. Places |
| 17 Down | 27. Mike in "Breaking Bad," for example |
| 18 Down | 28. Cancel, as a space launch |
| 19 Down | 29. Procrastinator's mantra |
| 20 Down | 30. What someone seeking validation might need |
| 21 Down | 32. Shallow boat with a square stern |
| 22 Down | 34. Neighbor of a Slovene |
| 23 Down | 35. "Take it easy!" |
| 24 Down | 37. Brother to Groucho |
| 25 Down | 38. Mournful cries |
| 26 Down | 41. One in a box at the theater? |
| 27 Down | 44. Tranquilizes |
| 28 Down | 46. Penalty in Monopoly |
| 29 Down | 48. Artist known for his "impossible staircases" |
| 30 Down | 51. Symbol of divine authority in hieroglyphics |
| 31 Down | 53. Grab control of |
| 32 Down | 54. Words before a date |
| 33 Down | 55. Tentative greeting |
| 34 Down | 57. The Hawkeye State |
| 35 Down | 59. Show extreme fandom for, in slang |
| 36 Down | 60. Give temporarily |
| 37 Down | 61. Ryan and Adams of Hollywood |
| 38 Down | 63. Whistle blower or flag thrower |
| 39 Down | 64. Hosp. hot spots |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- September 07 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
- June 09 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- July 14 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- June 06 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Genesis or Yes"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: B__D
- Similar words: dance orchestra, striation
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an unofficial association of people or groups
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BAND
2 Down: "2. Many a character in "The Grapes of Wrath""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: O__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OKIE
3 Down: "3. Barnyard sound"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: O__K
- Similar words: squeal, grunt
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OINK
4 Down: "4. Prepare to be knighted"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: K___L
- Similar words: kneeling
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: supporting yourself on your knees
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
KNEEL
5 Down: "5. Epitome of simplicity"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'C'
- Similar words: ABC's, first principle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ABC
6 Down: "6. Genre for Genesis or Yes, informally"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: P______K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PROGROCK
7 Down: "7. Lead (the way)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: P__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PAVE
8 Down: "8. Glossy finishes"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S____S
- Similar words: luster, sheen
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SHEENS
9 Down: "9. Active and enthusiastic sort"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: B_____E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BUSYBEE
10 Down: "10. Approx."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: Eastern Time
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: standard time in the 5th time zone west of Greenwich
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EST
11 Down: "11. Easily found on the internet, say"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: G________E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GOOGLEABLE
12 Down: "12. Memo heading"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: I__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
INRE
13 Down: "13. Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: N__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NEYO
14 Down: "19. Golden Age studio known for many Astaire/Rogers films"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RKO
15 Down: "21. You might heave a big one"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: S__H
- Similar words: suspire, suspiration
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an utterance made by exhaling audibly
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SIGH
16 Down: "25. Places"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A___S
- Similar words: arena, area
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AREAS
17 Down: "27. Mike in "Breaking Bad," for example"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: E___P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EXCOP
18 Down: "28. Cancel, as a space launch"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A___T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ABORT
19 Down: "29. Procrastinator's mantra"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: L___R
- Similar words: subsequently, ulterior
- Opposite of: early
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: coming at a subsequent time or stage
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LATER
20 Down: "30. What someone seeking validation might need"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E________E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EGOMASSAGE
21 Down: "32. Shallow boat with a square stern"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'F'
- Word pattern: S___F
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKIFF
22 Down: "34. Neighbor of a Slovene"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: C___T
- Similar words: Croatian
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a member of the Slavic people living in Croatia
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CROAT
23 Down: "35. "Take it easy!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: S___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEEYA
24 Down: "37. Brother to Groucho"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: C___O
- Similar words: Marx, Leonard Marx
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CHICO
25 Down: "38. Mournful cries"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: W___S
- Similar words: mewl, roar
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a cry of sorrow and grief
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
WAILS
26 Down: "41. One in a box at the theater?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: R______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RAISINET
27 Down: "44. Tranquilizes"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S_____S
- Similar words: tranquilize, calm
- Opposite of: stimulate
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEDATES
28 Down: "46. Penalty in Monopoly"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: R__T
- Similar words: take, pull
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RENT
29 Down: "48. Artist known for his "impossible staircases""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: E____R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESCHER
30 Down: "51. Symbol of divine authority in hieroglyphics"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'P'
- Similar words: asp viper, Naja haje
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: of southern Europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ASP
31 Down: "53. Grab control of"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S___E
- Similar words: sequester, capture
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: take hold of; grab
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEIZE
32 Down: "54. Words before a date"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'F'
- Word pattern: A__F
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ASOF
33 Down: "55. Tentative greeting"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: U__I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UMHI
34 Down: "57. The Hawkeye State"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: I__A
- Similar words: Ioway, Hawkeye State
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IOWA
35 Down: "59. Show extreme fandom for, in slang"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: S__N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STAN
36 Down: "60. Give temporarily"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: L__D
- Similar words: add, impart
- Opposite of: borrow
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: bestow a quality on
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LEND
37 Down: "61. Ryan and Adams of Hollywood"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A__S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AMYS
38 Down: "63. Whistle blower or flag thrower"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'F'
- Similar words: referee
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REF
39 Down: "64. Hosp. hot spots"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Similar words: erbium, emergency room
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ERS
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 39 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
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