NYT Down Crossword December 20, 2025 - Master All 32 Top-to-Bottom Clues
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 32 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: February 02 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | May 12 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Mini Today October 12 2025 Complete |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 20, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Saturday |
| Total Down Clues | 32 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 32 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Sworn |
| 2 Down | 2. City, lake or canton de Suisse |
| 3 Down | 3. Tip on quite a few bucks? |
| 4 Down | 4. Extremely rare, facetiously |
| 5 Down | 5. Act bearishly |
| 6 Down | 6. What might come with some baggage? |
| 7 Down | 7. Dogsbody |
| 8 Down | 8. Io or luna |
| 9 Down | 9. When repeated, a small treat |
| 10 Down | 10. Shamans, typically |
| 11 Down | 11. Claps back |
| 12 Down | 12. Mardi Gras parading societies |
| 13 Down | 14. Tech job |
| 14 Down | 16. Bills first introduced in 1861 |
| 15 Down | 18. Currency of Serbia |
| 16 Down | 22. Exercise almost to a point of pain |
| 17 Down | 24. Van Gogh retreat in southern France |
| 18 Down | 26. Significant spread |
| 19 Down | 28. Post-show celebration |
| 20 Down | 30. Some spa treatments |
| 21 Down | 31. Escapade |
| 22 Down | 32. Agree to, in a way |
| 23 Down | 33. Bath ___ |
| 24 Down | 34. Fashions |
| 25 Down | 35. Clown locale |
| 26 Down | 37. Futuristic sci-fi classic with tales set in 2021 and 2029 |
| 27 Down | 38. Field of the annual César Awards |
| 28 Down | 39. One of the Wayans brothers |
| 29 Down | 42. Day at the movies |
| 30 Down | 45. Like some costs |
| 31 Down | 46. Many a drop-down |
| 32 Down | 48. ___ T |
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:
- February 25 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- May 12 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- Tuesdays NYT Across Dec 09 Full
- May 31 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Sworn"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A____D
- Similar words: affirm, swan
- Opposite of: disavow
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AVOWED
2 Down: "2. City, lake or canton de Suisse"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: G____E
- Similar words: Genf, Geneva
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GENEVE
3 Down: "3. Tip on quite a few bucks?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: A____R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: deciduous horn of a member of the deer family
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ANTLER
4 Down: "4. Extremely rare, facetiously"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: S_________G
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STILLMOOING
5 Down: "5. Act bearishly"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: S__L
- Similar words: betray, trade
- Opposite of: buy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the activity of persuading someone to buy
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SELL
6 Down: "6. What might come with some baggage?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: I___G
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IDTAG
7 Down: "7. Dogsbody"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: E_______Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ERRANDBOY
8 Down: "8. Io or luna"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: M__H
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MOTH
9 Down: "9. When repeated, a small treat"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'N'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BON
10 Down: "10. Shamans, typically"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A______S
- Similar words: animist
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: one who accepts the doctrine of animism
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ANIMISTS
11 Down: "11. Claps back"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R_____S
- Similar words: repay, comeback
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RETORTS
12 Down: "12. Mardi Gras parading societies"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: K____S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
KREWES
13 Down: "14. Tech job"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: C___R
- Similar words: programmer
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person who designs and writes and tests computer programs
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CODER
14 Down: "16. Bills first introduced in 1861"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: F___S
- Similar words: quintet, 5
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FIVES
15 Down: "18. Currency of Serbia"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: D___R
- Similar words: Jordanian dinar, Iranian dinar
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: 100 dinars equal 1 rial in Iran
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DINAR
16 Down: "22. Exercise almost to a point of pain"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: F_________N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FEELTHEBURN
17 Down: "24. Van Gogh retreat in southern France"
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: earnest money
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARLES
18 Down: "26. Significant spread"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: F___T
- Similar words: junket, fiesta
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a ceremonial dinner party for many people
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FEAST
19 Down: "28. Post-show celebration"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: C_______Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CASTPARTY
20 Down: "30. Some spa treatments"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S______E
- Similar words: skin care
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: care for the skin
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKINCARE
21 Down: "31. Escapade"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: C___R
- Similar words: put-on, capriole
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any of numerous plants of the genus Capparis
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CAPER
22 Down: "32. Agree to, in a way"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 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 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SHAKEON
23 Down: "33. Bath ___"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S___S
- Similar words: salt, table salt
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SALTS
24 Down: "34. Fashions"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: C____S
- Similar words: foxiness, guile
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the skilled practice of a practical occupation
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CRAFTS
25 Down: "35. Clown locale"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: R___O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an exhibition of cowboy skills
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RODEO
26 Down: "37. Futuristic sci-fi classic with tales set in 2021 and 2029"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: I____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IROBOT
27 Down: "38. Field of the annual César Awards"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: C____A
- Similar words: film, movie theatre
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a medium that disseminates moving pictures
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CINEMA
28 Down: "39. One of the Wayans brothers"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: K____N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
KEENEN
29 Down: "42. Day at the movies"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: D___S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: (Greek mythology) wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DORIS
30 Down: "45. Like some costs"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: S__K
- Similar words: drop, go down
- Opposite of: float
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: fall or descend to a lower place or level
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SUNK
31 Down: "46. Many a drop-down"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: M__U
- Similar words: bill of fare, carte
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a list of dishes available at a restaurant
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MENU
32 Down: "48. ___ T"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TOA
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 32 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.
