Wednesday NYT Across Solutions December 31, 2025 - Every Horizontal Clue Decoded with Hints
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 36 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: January 29 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | Across Clues NYT December 28 2025 | May 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Across Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 31, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Wednesday |
| Total Across Clues | 36 clues |
| Direction | Horizontal (Left to Right) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
All Across Clues - Complete List
Here are all 36 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Across | 1. Big name in pickup trucks |
| 2 Across | 4. Criminal suspects, informally |
| 3 Across | 9. Giant container |
| 4 Across | 12. Map out |
| 5 Across | 14. Love of Italy? |
| 6 Across | 15. Performer who's lost for words? |
| 7 Across | 16. Smaller than small |
| 8 Across | 17. Completely change course, in business jargon |
| 9 Across | 18. Enthusiastic |
| 10 Across | 19. Gathering for this puzzle's attendees |
| 11 Across | 22. Stipulation for some keto dieters |
| 12 Across | 24. Ninja's quality |
| 13 Across | 27. Grant the power |
| 14 Across | 28. Paddle people |
| 15 Across | 29. Hint |
| 16 Across | 30. Marketplace of ancient Greece |
| 17 Across | 34. Knights of ___, dark order in the third "Star Wars" trilogy |
| 18 Across | 35. Gathering for this puzzle's attendees |
| 19 Across | 40. Falco of "The Sopranos" |
| 20 Across | 41. Article in hip-hop titles |
| 21 Across | 42. Make some changes |
| 22 Across | 43. Gathering for this puzzle's attendees |
| 23 Across | 46. Suffering from memory loss, in a way |
| 24 Across | 49. It's a big hit |
| 25 Across | 53. Name on luxury fashion apparel |
| 26 Across | 54. Marginalia, e.g. |
| 27 Across | 56. John of wrestling fame |
| 28 Across | 57. Bloom that's green |
| 29 Across | 59. Mess around a sty |
| 30 Across | 60. Lead, as a meeting |
| 31 Across | 61. With 63-Across, gathering for this puzzle's attendees |
| 32 Across | 62. Grp. that carries badges |
| 33 Across | 63. See 61-Across |
| 34 Across | 64. "That makes sense now!" |
| 35 Across | 65. Hanker (for) |
| 36 Across | 66. Things people prefer to type on in secrecy, for short |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Across Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Across clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- August 15 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- August 20 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- January 29 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- Across Clues NYT December 28 2025
Complete Across Solutions:
1 Across: "1. Big name in pickup trucks"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'M'
- Similar words: crash, random memory
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
RAM
2 Across: "4. Criminal suspects, informally"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: P___S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PERPS
3 Across: "9. Giant container"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: tub, ad valorem tax
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
VAT
4 Across: "12. Map out"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: P__N
- Similar words: program, be after
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PLAN
5 Across: "14. Love of Italy?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AMORE
6 Across: "15. Performer who's lost for words?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: M__E
- Similar words: mummer, pantomimer
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MIME
7 Across: "16. Smaller than small"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: M__I
- Similar words: miniskirt
- Opposite of: midi
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a very short skirt
- This is Across clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MINI
8 Across: "17. Completely change course, in business jargon"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: P___T
- Similar words: pivot man, swivel
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PIVOT
9 Across: "18. Enthusiastic"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A__D
- Similar words: esurient, devouring
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
- This is Across clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AVID
10 Across: "19. Gathering for this puzzle's attendees"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 11 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S_________E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SQUAREDANCE
11 Across: "22. Stipulation for some keto dieters"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: N_____S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NOCARBS
12 Across: "24. Ninja's quality"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: S_____H
- Similar words: stealing
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: avoiding detection by moving carefully
- This is Across clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
STEALTH
13 Across: "27. Grant the power"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E____E
- Opposite of: disable
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: render capable or able for some task
- This is Across clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ENABLE
14 Across: "28. Paddle people"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R____S
- Similar words: oarsman, rower
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: someone who rows a boat
- This is Across clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ROWERS
15 Across: "29. Hint"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'P'
- Similar words: tilt, gratuity
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
- This is Across clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TIP
16 Across: "30. Marketplace of ancient Greece"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A___A
- Similar words: public square
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: 100 agorot equal 1 shekel in Israel
- This is Across clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AGORA
17 Across: "34. Knights of ___, dark order in the third "Star Wars" trilogy"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
REN
18 Across: "35. Gathering for this puzzle's attendees"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 13 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: C___________N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CELLRECEPTION
19 Across: "40. Falco of "The Sopranos""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
EDIE
20 Across: "41. Article in hip-hop titles"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
THA
21 Across: "42. Make some changes"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: E__T
- Similar words: edit out, blue-pencil
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: prepare for publication or presentation by correcting
- This is Across clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
EDIT
22 Across: "43. Gathering for this puzzle's attendees"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: B_______L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
BOXSOCIAL
23 Across: "46. Suffering from memory loss, in a way"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'C'
- Word pattern: A_____C
- Similar words: amnesiac, amnestic
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person suffering from amnesia
- This is Across clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AMNESIC
24 Across: "49. It's a big hit"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: H_____N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
HOMERUN
25 Across: "53. Name on luxury fashion apparel"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: D__R
- Similar words: Christian Dior
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
DIOR
26 Across: "54. Marginalia, e.g."
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: N___S
- Similar words: mark, take note
- Opposite of: ignore
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a brief written record
- This is Across clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NOTES
27 Across: "56. John of wrestling fame"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: C__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CENA
28 Across: "57. Bloom that's green"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A___E
- Similar words: alga
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ALGAE
29 Across: "59. Mess around a sty"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
- Similar words: mire, muck up
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: water soaked soil; soft wet earth
- This is Across clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MUD
30 Across: "60. Lead, as a meeting"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: C___R
- Similar words: president, lead
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a seat for one person
- This is Across clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CHAIR
31 Across: "61. With 63-Across, gathering for this puzzle's attendees"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: B___K
- Similar words: city block, pulley-block
- Opposite of: unblock
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
BLOCK
32 Across: "62. Grp. that carries badges"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'I'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
FBI
33 Across: "63. See 61-Across"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: P___Y
- Similar words: company, political party
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an organization to gain political power
- This is Across clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PARTY
34 Across: "64. "That makes sense now!""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: I__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ISEE
35 Across: "65. Hanker (for)"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'N'
- Similar words: pine, hankering
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a yearning for something or to do something
- This is Across clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
YEN
36 Across: "66. Things people prefer to type on in secrecy, for short"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A__S
- Similar words: cash dispenser, atmosphere
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ATMS
Expert Strategies for Solving Across Clues
Master the horizontal clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Across Clues?
- Across clues often provide more letter intersections
- Reading left to right feels more natural
- Many common phrases run horizontally
- Across answers often help solve Down clues
Across Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Across entries
- Common phrases: Many idioms run horizontally
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Across
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear horizontally
Time-Saving Across Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Across first | Get a mental map of the horizontal flow |
| Fill short Across words | 3-4 letter words are often articles or prepositions |
| Use crossing letters | Down letters help confirm Across answers |
| Look for themes | Related Across answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Across Clues
What are Across clues in crossword puzzles?
Across clues are the horizontal entries in a crossword puzzle that read from left to right. They're numbered and correspond to specific rows in the grid.
Should I solve Across or Down clues first?
Many solvers prefer starting with Across clues because reading left-to-right feels more natural. However, the best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Across clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 36 Across clues.
Are Across clues easier than Down clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Across clues often contain more common phrases and expressions.
How do Across clues interact with Down clues?
Across and Down 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.
