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Thursday, June 25, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 25, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Some terminals 6
2A 7. Gamer's state of invincibility enabled by a cheat code 7
3A 14. Listens to, as a radio station 7
4A 16. Achieves success for the first time 7
5A 17. *They may result in people wrongly being sent to jail 7
6A 18. *Bonny young girl 7
7A 19. Spanner of 11 time zones 4
8A 20. Klondike territory 5
9A 22. Copacabana locale 3
10A 23. *Exercise experts 8
11A 26. Bit of improv 4
12A 28. One end of a playground "telephone" 6
13A 30. Wish for a romantic pairing between, in modern lingo 4
14A 33. "Thor: Ragnarok" actress Thompson 5
15A 35. *Advocate of women's equality 8
16A 38. Tower in the water 3
17A 39. Hi-fi spinners 3
18A 41. Ewe said it! 3
19A 42. School org. 3
20A 43. *"Let's pick up the pace!" 8
21A 46. Preschooler's wheels 5
22A 48. Trivia contest venues 4
23A 49. Restaurant icon McDonald 6
24A 51. Breakfast that may be prepared overnight 4
25A 54. *Some online courses 8
26A 58. "The Matrix" character 3
27A 60. N.C.A.A. basketball powerhouse, informally 5
28A 62. Cantina freebie 4
29A 63. With 65-Across, market no-no ... or a hint to entering the answers to the starred clues 7
30A 65. See 63-Across 7
31A 68. Simply taboo 7
32A 69. Melted adhesive 7
33A 70. Categorizes 7
34A 71. Removes a curse? 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Some terminals"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device
  • Similar words include: anode
  • Opposite of: cathode
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANODES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Gamer's state of invincibility enabled by a cheat code"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GODMODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Listens to, as a radio station"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUNESIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Achieves success for the first time"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
  • Similar words include: make it, come, get in
  • Opposite of: leave
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARRIVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. *They may result in people wrongly being sent to jail"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADRAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. *Bonny young girl"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEELASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Spanner of 11 time zones"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Klondike territory"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a north american river that flows westward from the yukon territory through central alaska to the bering sea
  • Similar words include: Yukon River, Yukon Territory
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YUKON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Copacabana locale"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
  • Similar words include: Rio de Janeiro
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. *Exercise experts"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who trains other persons or animals
  • Similar words include: flight simulator, trainer
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAINERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "26. Bit of improv"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short theatrical episode
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "28. One end of a playground "telephone""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TINCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Wish for a romantic pairing between, in modern lingo"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vessel that carries passengers or freight
  • Similar words include: send, transport, embark
  • Opposite of: disembark
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "33. "Thor: Ragnarok" actress Thompson"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "35. *Advocate of women's equality"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a supporter of feminism
  • Similar words include: women's liberationist, libber, women's rightist
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEMINIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "38. Tower in the water"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sudden abrupt pull
  • Similar words include: labor, tugboat, drive
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "39. Hi-fi spinners"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long-playing phonograph record; designed to be played at 33.3 rpm
  • Similar words include: LP, L-P
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "41. Ewe said it!"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cry made by sheep
  • Similar words include: blate, blat, bleat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. School org."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. *"Let's pick up the pace!""

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEPONIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Preschooler's wheels"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vehicle with three wheels that is moved by foot pedals
  • Similar words include: velocipede, tricycle
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "48. Trivia contest venues"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms; often provides light meals
  • Similar words include: gin mill, pothouse, pub
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Restaurant icon McDonald"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RONALD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "51. Breakfast that may be prepared overnight"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
  • Similar words include: oat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "54. *Some online courses"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEBINARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "58. "The Matrix" character"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used as a combining form) recent or new
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "60. N.C.A.A. basketball powerhouse, informally"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UCONN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "62. Cantina freebie"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that largest known toad species; native to central america; valuable destroyer of insect pests
  • Similar words include: agua toad, Bufo marinus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGUA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "63. With 65-Across, market no-no ... or a hint to entering the answers to the starred clues"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an officer of a corporation or others who have access to private information about the corporation's operations
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSIDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "65. See 63-Across"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that buying or selling securities or commodities
  • Similar words include: sell, switch, trade
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRADING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "68. Simply taboo"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTDONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "69. Melted adhesive"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTGLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "70. Categorizes"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that keep company with; hang out with
  • Similar words include: classify, class, affiliate
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSORTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "71. Removes a curse?"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short high tone produced as a signal or warning
  • Similar words include: beep, bleep
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLEEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Up 5
2D 2. Front-line hero during the 2020 pandemic 5
3D 3. "We're live!" studio sign 5
4D 4. Goes 7
5D 5. Spanish pronoun 3
6D 6. The Science Kid, in children's television 3
7D 7. Get an eyeful 4
8D 8. Some McFlurry ingredients 5
9D 9. Knocked back a few 5
10D 10. Bad start? 3
11D 11. Analyze excessively 9
12D 12. Slicer's place 4
13D 13. ExxonMobil brand 4
14D 15. "Bye Bye Bye" boy band 5
15D 21. Falcons' grp. 4
16D 24. Congressional divide 5
17D 25. Like purchases made while playing freemium games 5
18D 27. Distinctive doctrine 3
19D 29. Point of writing 3
20D 31. "So that's how it is" 4
21D 32. Organizer of an after-school event, in brief 3
22D 33. You might go on tiptoe in this 4
23D 34. Consequences of compliments 9
24D 36. Sharansky who wrote the memoir "Fear No Evil" 5
25D 37. Country rocker Steve with the album "Exit 0" 5
26D 38. Medicinal amt. 3
27D 40. Paul McCartney, for one 3
28D 44. Org. that hires cryptanalysts 3
29D 45. Minor municipality 4
30D 47. Conventioneer's passport 7
31D 50. First grade of high school, typically 5
32D 52. Old royal house 5
33D 53. Lilac, e.g. 5
34D 55. Twinkle-toed 5
35D 56. Preceding time 5
36D 57. Solomonic figures 5
37D 58. 1492 caravel 4
38D 59. Grandson of Eve 4
39D 61. Get a lode of these! 4
40D 64. Words sealed with a kiss 3
41D 66. ___ blind 3
42D 67. W.N.B.A.'s Dream, on scoreboards 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATBAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Front-line hero during the 2020 pandemic"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
  • Similar words include: entertain, suckle, hold
  • Opposite of: bottlefeed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NURSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. "We're live!" studio sign"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Goes"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move away from a place into another direction
  • Similar words include: deviate, start, pull up stakes
  • Opposite of: conform, stay
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEPARTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Spanish pronoun"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. The Science Kid, in children's television"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Get an eyeful"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: clod, lump, goon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAWK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Some McFlurry ingredients"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo cookie, oreo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Knocked back a few"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in liquids
  • Similar words include: toast, salute, drink
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Bad start?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle
  • Similar words include: stat mi, Military Intelligence Section 5, knot
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Analyze excessively"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVERTHINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Slicer's place"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
  • Similar words include: food shop, delicatessen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. ExxonMobil brand"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. "Bye Bye Bye" boy band"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NSYNC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Falcons' grp."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the airforce of the united states of america; the agency that defends the united states through control and exploitation of air and space
  • Similar words include: Air Force, U. S. Air Force, United States Air Force
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Congressional divide"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • Similar words include: gangway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Like purchases made while playing freemium games"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INAPP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Distinctive doctrine"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
  • Similar words include: philosophical system, philosophy, doctrine
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Point of writing"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the writing point of a pen
  • Similar words include: pecker, beak, neb
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. "So that's how it is""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Organizer of an after-school event, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. You might go on tiptoe in this"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that south african prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)
  • Similar words include: ballet skirt, Desmond Tutu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Consequences of compliments"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOBOOSTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Sharansky who wrote the memoir "Fear No Evil""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NATAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Country rocker Steve with the album "Exit 0""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Medicinal amt."

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Paul McCartney, for one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Org. that hires cryptanalysts"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united states cryptologic organization that coordinates and directs highly specialized activities to protect united states information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information
  • Similar words include: National Security Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Minor municipality"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
  • Similar words include: townsfolk, Ithiel Town, township
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. Conventioneer's passport"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDBADGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. First grade of high school, typically"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that position nine in a countable series of things
  • Similar words include: 9th, one-ninth
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Old royal house"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an english dynasty descended from henry tudor; tudor monarchs ruled from henry vii to elizabeth i (from 1485 to 1603)
  • Similar words include: House of Tudor, Antony Tudor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUDOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Lilac, e.g."

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinctive odor that is pleasant
  • Similar words include: odour, fragrance, odorize
  • Opposite of: deodorize, deodourise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Twinkle-toed"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that moving quickly and lightly
  • Similar words include: nimble, quick, spry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Preceding time"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a substantial increase over a relatively short period of time
  • Similar words include: run-up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUNUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Solomonic figures"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
  • Similar words include: swag, salvia, sag
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. 1492 caravel"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of ea
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Grandson of Eve"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. Get a lode of these!"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Words sealed with a kiss"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "66. ___ blind"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
  • Similar words include: surcharge, hook, overcharge
  • Opposite of: undercharge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "67. W.N.B.A.'s Dream, on scoreboards"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

34 Across Clues
42 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: June 25, 2026 at 07:00 AM

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Down Clues NYT December 14, 2025 - Today's Complete Vertical Solutions

NYT Crossword Down December 14, 2025: All 70 Vertical Answers & Strategic Tips

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 70 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: August 06 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | Tuesday NYT Mini Crossword Answers_25 | Todays Across Crossword NYT December 01 |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 14, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Sunday, December 14, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 14, 2025
Day of Week Sunday
Total Down Clues 70 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Medium

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 70 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Surveyed, with "out"
2 Down 2. Early track star Jim
3 Down 3. Resident of Honolulu, e.g.
4 Down 4. Touchless payment tech
5 Down 5. Internet ___
6 Down 6. Cheat on, in a way
7 Down 7. Surgery sites, in brief
8 Down 8. Video game character with an endless appetite
9 Down 9. Be in a chat room but not chat
10 Down 10. Soldiers with long arms
11 Down 11. Alternative to the euro, in brief
12 Down 12. Relinquish
13 Down 13. Director DuVernay
14 Down 14. Turns back the clock, maybe?
15 Down 15. Opposite of volunteer
16 Down 16. Parts of many robots in robot-sumo
17 Down 19. Area inside the free-throw line, in basketball slang
18 Down 20. "Gaspard de la Nuit" composer
19 Down 22. Addresses angrily
20 Down 23. Variety of violet
21 Down 26. Urban safety hazard
22 Down 30. Australia's largest carnivorous mammal
23 Down 32. Word used 10 times in Roger Ebert's review of "North" (1994)
24 Down 33. Dissimilar
25 Down 35. Part of a legendary boast
26 Down 36. Skips all the ceremony?
27 Down 38. The brother in "Am I my brother's keeper?"
28 Down 40. What might be made while clasping one's hands
29 Down 42. Engineer Gray who, arguably, invented the telephone — and battled Alexander Graham Bell over it in court for years
30 Down 44. Ballpark figure
31 Down 45. Kind of tea
32 Down 46. Sierra automaker
33 Down 47. Shylock's security
34 Down 48. Adele song with the lyric "I must have called a thousand times"
35 Down 50. Non-premium option in a rideshare app
36 Down 51. Gaming mogul Gabe
37 Down 52. Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to James Bond
38 Down 53. Put into piles, perhaps
39 Down 54. Swear
40 Down 57. Parking space for an Airstream, say, in brief
41 Down 61. Did some school reporting?
42 Down 63. Exceptionally hard timber
43 Down 65. Amy Winehouse, e.g.
44 Down 66. Thumbprint alternative on iPhones
45 Down 68. Reluctant to ask out one's crush, maybe
46 Down 70. Particularly particular
47 Down 72. Cafeterias
48 Down 75. Like many indie films
49 Down 76. Many characters in the 2007 comedy "Superbad"
50 Down 78. He had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Rubber Duckie"
51 Down 79. Tortilla de patatas, por ejemplo
52 Down 82. Where high schoolers work on their numbers?
53 Down 84. Starship's medical facility
54 Down 85. Ren faire prop akin to a halberd
55 Down 86. "Sign me up!"
56 Down 87. Hair-care item associated with Black culture
57 Down 89. Like YouTube offerings
58 Down 91. Commences
59 Down 92. Rough drafts?
60 Down 93. Interview guest whom Ali G calls "my man Buzz Lightyear here"
61 Down 94. Like lowercase i's and j's
62 Down 95. Sci-fi sequel of 1986
63 Down 96. Like soft rolls
64 Down 102. Wordless entertainment
65 Down 104. Other, to Octavio
66 Down 106. Brief announcements from a pilot
67 Down 107. ___ alla bolognese (slow-cooked sauce)
68 Down 109. Like hell!
69 Down 110. Play a part, or part of a play
70 Down 111. Part of N.Y.E.

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:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Surveyed, with "out""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCOPED


2 Down: "2. Early track star Jim"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T____E
  • Similar words: Jim Thorpe
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: outstanding United States athlete (1888-1953)
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer THORPE


3 Down: "3. Resident of Honolulu, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OAHUAN


4 Down: "4. Touchless payment tech"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: R__D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RFID


5 Down: "5. Internet ___"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M__E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MEME


6 Down: "6. Cheat on, in a way"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TWOTIME


7 Down: "7. Surgery sites, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: OR, Oregon
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORS


8 Down: "8. Video game character with an endless appetite"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: P____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PACMAN


9 Down: "9. Be in a chat room but not chat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: L__K
  • Similar words: tarry, footle
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: lie in wait
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LURK


10 Down: "10. Soldiers with long arms"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 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 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SPEARMEN


11 Down: "11. Alternative to the euro, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'D'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer USD


12 Down: "12. Relinquish"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C__E
  • Similar words: concede, deliver
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CEDE


13 Down: "13. Director DuVernay"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AVA


14 Down: "14. Turns back the clock, maybe?"

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
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer REWINDS


15 Down: "15. Opposite of volunteer"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: D_____E
  • Similar words: conscript, inductee
  • Opposite of: volunteer
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: someone who is drafted into military service
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DRAFTEE


16 Down: "16. Parts of many robots in robot-sumo"

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: detector, sensing element
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SENSORS


17 Down: "19. Area inside the free-throw line, in basketball slang"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: P___T
  • Similar words: rouge, key
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PAINT


18 Down: "20. "Gaspard de la Nuit" composer"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: R___L
  • Similar words: ladder, Maurice Ravel
  • Opposite of: unknot
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: French composer and exponent of Impressionism (1875-1937)
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAVEL


19 Down: "22. Addresses angrily"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: S______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SNARLSAT


20 Down: "23. Variety of violet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: P___Y
  • Similar words: sissy, pantywaist
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PANSY


21 Down: "26. Urban safety hazard"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: F______P
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FIRETRAP


22 Down: "30. Australia's largest carnivorous mammal"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: D___O
  • Similar words: warragal, warrigal
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: wolflike yellowish-brown wild dog of Australia
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DINGO


23 Down: "32. Word used 10 times in Roger Ebert's review of "North" (1994)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: H___D
  • Similar words: hate, detested
  • Opposite of: love
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HATED


24 Down: "33. Dissimilar"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: U_____E
  • Similar words: dissimilar
  • Opposite of: alike
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: not alike or similar
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UNALIKE


25 Down: "35. Part of a legendary boast"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: V__I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VENI


26 Down: "36. Skips all the ceremony?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E____S
  • Similar words: elope, run off
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: run away secretly with one's beloved
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELOPES


27 Down: "38. The brother in "Am I my brother's keeper?""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A__L
  • Similar words: Niels Abel
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ABEL


28 Down: "40. What might be made while clasping one's hands"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: P__A
  • Similar words: supplication
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a humble request for help from someone in authority
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PLEA


29 Down: "42. Engineer Gray who, arguably, invented the telephone — and battled Alexander Graham Bell over it in court for years"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: E____A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELISHA


30 Down: "44. Ballpark figure"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S
  • Similar words: out, come out
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OUTS


31 Down: "45. Kind of tea"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: A___M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: state in northeastern India
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASSAM


32 Down: "46. Sierra automaker"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'C'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GMC


33 Down: "47. Shylock's security"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: F___H
  • Similar words: pulp, anatomy
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FLESH


34 Down: "48. Adele song with the lyric "I must have called a thousand times""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: H___O
  • Similar words: hi, how-do-you-do
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an expression of greeting
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HELLO


35 Down: "50. Non-premium option in a rideshare app"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'X'
  • Word pattern: U___X
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UBERX


36 Down: "51. Gaming mogul Gabe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: N____L
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NEWELL


37 Down: "52. Ernst Stavro Blofeld, to James Bond"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: E___Y
  • Similar words: foe, opposition
  • Opposite of: friend
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an opposing military force
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ENEMY


38 Down: "53. Put into piles, perhaps"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: S__T
  • Similar words: variety, classify
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SORT


39 Down: "54. Swear"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: A__W
  • Similar words: affirm, avouch
  • Opposite of: disavow
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AVOW


40 Down: "57. Parking space for an Airstream, say, in brief"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 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 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RVLOT


41 Down: "61. Did some school reporting?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: T_____D
  • Similar words: talk, tittle-tattle
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TATTLED


42 Down: "63. Exceptionally hard timber"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: I______D
  • Similar words: ironwood tree, iron tree
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 42

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IRONWOOD


43 Down: "65. Amy Winehouse, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A__O
  • Similar words: contralto, countertenor
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef
  • This is Down clue number 43

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALTO


44 Down: "66. Thumbprint alternative on iPhones"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: F____D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 44

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FACEID


45 Down: "68. Reluctant to ask out one's crush, maybe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Similar words: unsure, timid
  • Opposite of: confident
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a quick throw
  • This is Down clue number 45

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SHY


46 Down: "70. Particularly particular"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A__L
  • Similar words: anal retentive
  • Opposite of: oral
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: of or related to the anus
  • This is Down clue number 46

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ANAL


47 Down: "72. Cafeterias"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C______S
  • Similar words: mobile canteen, canteen
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a flask for carrying water; used by soldiers or travelers
  • This is Down clue number 47

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CANTEENS


48 Down: "75. Like many indie films"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: A__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: showily imitative of art or artists
  • This is Down clue number 48

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARTY


49 Down: "76. Many characters in the 2007 comedy "Superbad""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T___S
  • Similar words: adolescent, teenager
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
  • This is Down clue number 49

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TEENS


50 Down: "78. He had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Rubber Duckie""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 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 50

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ERNIE


51 Down: "79. Tortilla de patatas, por ejemplo"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: T__A
  • Similar words: tapa bark, tappa
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 51

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TAPA


52 Down: "82. Where high schoolers work on their numbers?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'B'
  • Word pattern: G______B
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 52

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GLEECLUB


53 Down: "84. Starship's medical facility"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S_____Y
  • Similar words: sick berth
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 53

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SICKBAY


54 Down: "85. Ren faire prop akin to a halberd"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P_____E
  • Similar words: poleax
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 54

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer POLEAXE


55 Down: "86. "Sign me up!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: I_____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 55

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IWANTIN


56 Down: "87. Hair-care item associated with Black culture"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: D___G
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 56

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DURAG


57 Down: "89. Like YouTube offerings"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: O_____O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 57

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ONVIDEO


58 Down: "91. Commences"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O___S
  • Similar words: unfold, spread
  • Opposite of: close
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
  • This is Down clue number 58

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OPENS


59 Down: "92. Rough drafts?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: G___S
  • Similar words: gale
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 59

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GALES


60 Down: "93. Interview guest whom Ali G calls "my man Buzz Lightyear here""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A____N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 60

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALDRIN


61 Down: "94. Like lowercase i's and j's"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: D____D
  • Similar words: dust, dashed
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: scatter or intersperse like dots or studs
  • This is Down clue number 61

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DOTTED


62 Down: "95. Sci-fi sequel of 1986"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A____S
  • Similar words: stranger, outlander
  • Opposite of: acquaintance
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 62

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALIENS


63 Down: "96. Like soft rolls"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: Y____Y
  • Similar words: yeastlike, zesty
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: of or resembling or containing yeast
  • This is Down clue number 63

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer YEASTY


64 Down: "102. Wordless entertainment"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M__E
  • Similar words: dumb show, mimer
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 64

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MIME


65 Down: "104. Other, to Octavio"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: O__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 65

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OTRA


66 Down: "106. Brief announcements from a pilot"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E__S
  • Similar words: ETA, eta
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 66

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ETAS


67 Down: "107. ___ alla bolognese (slow-cooked sauce)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: R__U
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 67

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAGU


68 Down: "109. Like hell!"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: spicy, live
  • Opposite of: cold
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 68

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HOT


69 Down: "110. Play a part, or part of a play"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: do, roleplay
  • Opposite of: refrain
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 69

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ACT


70 Down: "111. Part of N.Y.E."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: eventide, evening
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 70

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVE

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

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. 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 70 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.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 14, 2025 at 05:14 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 14 2025 down clues