NYT Across Clues Answers December 26, 2025 - All 35 Horizontal Solutions & Expert Hints
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 35 Across clues. We have all the horizontal answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: NYT Down Crossword December 25 2025 | May 06 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | July 24 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Across Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 26, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Friday |
| Total Across Clues | 35 clues |
| Direction | Horizontal (Left to Right) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
All Across Clues - Complete List
Here are all 35 Across clues for today's puzzle. These go horizontally from left to right.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Across | 1. Dawdler |
| 2 Across | 9. Cuts short |
| 3 Across | 15. Typical sight in a bank robbery cartoon |
| 4 Across | 16. Kitsch |
| 5 Across | 17. Doing some theater work |
| 6 Across | 18. Cracked wheat used in tabbouleh |
| 7 Across | 19. One whose beauty is on the inside |
| 8 Across | 20. Whole kit and caboodle |
| 9 Across | 22. ___-Latin (like some modern coinages) |
| 10 Across | 23. Plant that's toxic to cats |
| 11 Across | 24. Some babysitters |
| 12 Across | 25. A cold one is unexpected (and usually unappreciated) |
| 13 Across | 26. Since Jan. 1, on a pay stub |
| 14 Across | 27. Tuesday, in French |
| 15 Across | 28. Song commonly performed outdoors |
| 16 Across | 29. Food that can be prepared de canasta |
| 17 Across | 30. ___ Tuesday (end of the pre-Lenten season) |
| 18 Across | 31. One toeing the line? |
| 19 Across | 35. Individually |
| 20 Across | 36. Editorialize |
| 21 Across | 37. Overly self-assertive |
| 22 Across | 38. Like a good sponge cake |
| 23 Across | 39. Down Under bird that scientists are working to "de-extinct" |
| 24 Across | 42. Singular, with or without its first letter |
| 25 Across | 43. Origin story family in DC Comics |
| 26 Across | 44. Facility |
| 27 Across | 45. Certain care provider, for short |
| 28 Across | 46. Re-fresh? |
| 29 Across | 47. It might be marked with an X |
| 30 Across | 48. Linked (with) |
| 31 Across | 50. Drive |
| 32 Across | 52. Harden and become resistant to change |
| 33 Across | 53. Life partner, perhaps? |
| 34 Across | 54. Old coin with a picture of Generalissimo Franco |
| 35 Across | 55. Treated with respect |
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:
- September 28 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- December 13 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- July 24 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- Quick NYT Mini Crossword October 10
Complete Across Solutions:
1 Across: "1. Dawdler"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S______E
- Similar words: slowcoach, plodder
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: someone who moves slowly
- This is Across clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SLOWPOKE
2 Across: "9. Cuts short"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A____S
- Similar words: abort
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ABORTS
3 Across: "15. Typical sight in a bank robbery cartoon"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: M______G
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a drawstring bag for holding money
- This is Across clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MONEYBAG
4 Across: "16. Kitsch"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: L____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
LOWART
5 Across: "17. Doing some theater work"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: U______G
- Similar words: usher, show
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: take (someone) to their seats
- This is Across clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
USHERING
6 Across: "18. Cracked wheat used in tabbouleh"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: B____R
- Similar words: bulghur, bulgur wheat
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: parched crushed wheat
- This is Across clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
BULGUR
7 Across: "19. One whose beauty is on the inside"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: G___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
GEODE
8 Across: "20. Whole kit and caboodle"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: G___T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a complete extent or range:
- This is Across clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
GAMUT
9 Across: "22. ___-Latin (like some modern coinages)"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'O'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: (used as a combining form) recent or new
- This is Across clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NEO
10 Across: "23. Plant that's toxic to cats"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: L__Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
LILY
11 Across: "24. Some babysitters"
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NANAS
12 Across: "25. A cold one is unexpected (and usually unappreciated)"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: C__L
- Similar words: telephone, holler
- Opposite of: put option
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a telephone connection
- This is Across clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CALL
13 Across: "26. Since Jan. 1, on a pay stub"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'D'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
YTD
14 Across: "27. Tuesday, in French"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: M___I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MARDI
15 Across: "28. Song commonly performed outdoors"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: C___L
- Similar words: Christmas carol
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ
- This is Across clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CAROL
16 Across: "29. Food that can be prepared de canasta"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T___S
- Similar words: taco, greaser
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TACOS
17 Across: "30. ___ Tuesday (end of the pre-Lenten season)"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S____E
- Similar words: absolve, shrive
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: grant remission of a sin to
- This is Across clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SHROVE
18 Across: "31. One toeing the line?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 15 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: T_____________R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TIGHTROPEWALKER
19 Across: "35. Individually"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A____E
- Similar words: each, to each one
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
APIECE
20 Across: "36. Editorialize"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: O___E
- Similar words: think, animadvert
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
- This is Across clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
OPINE
21 Across: "37. Overly self-assertive"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: B___H
- Similar words: nervy, cheeky
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: offensively bold
- This is Across clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
BRASH
22 Across: "38. Like a good sponge cake"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: M___T
- Similar words: damp, dampish
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: slightly wet
- This is Across clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MOIST
23 Across: "39. Down Under bird that scientists are working to "de-extinct""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: extinct flightless bird of New Zealand
- This is Across clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MOA
24 Across: "42. Singular, with or without its first letter"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: L__E
- Similar words: sole, lonesome
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: lacking companions or companionship
- This is Across clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
LONE
25 Across: "43. Origin story family in DC Comics"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: K___S
- Similar words: Kent, Rockwell Kent
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
KENTS
26 Across: "44. Facility"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: G__T
- Similar words: empower, indue
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: something acquired without compensation
- This is Across clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
GIFT
27 Across: "45. Certain care provider, for short"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
EMT
28 Across: "46. Re-fresh?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: R___O
- Similar words: ex post facto, retroactive
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a fashion reminiscent of the past
- This is Across clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
RETRO
29 Across: "47. It might be marked with an X"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: P___O
- Similar words: porn, smut
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PORNO
30 Across: "48. Linked (with)"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: T____N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TIEDIN
31 Across: "50. Drive"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: A______N
- Similar words: ambitiousness, aspiration
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a cherished desire
- This is Across clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AMBITION
32 Across: "52. Harden and become resistant to change"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: O____Y
- Similar words: rigidify, petrify
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: become bony
- This is Across clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
OSSIFY
33 Across: "53. Life partner, perhaps?"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: C______E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CELLMATE
34 Across: "54. Old coin with a picture of Generalissimo Franco"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: P____A
- Similar words: Spanish peseta
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PESETA
35 Across: "55. Treated with respect"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 8 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: E______D
- Similar words: look upon, esteem
- Opposite of: disesteem
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: regard highly; think much of
- This is Across clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ESTEEMED
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 35 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.
