Today's NYT Crossword Across Clues December 23, 2025 - Complete Left-to-Right Answers
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 06 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Across Crossword October 26 2025 | October 11 2019 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Across Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 23, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Tuesday |
| Total Across Clues | 36 clues |
| Direction | Horizontal (Left to Right) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
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. Longtime CBS procedural with multiple spinoffs |
| 2 Across | 5. Highly capable |
| 3 Across | 10. Ctrl+S command |
| 4 Across | 14. Alternative to check or credit card |
| 5 Across | 15. Secondary subject for a college student |
| 6 Across | 16. Short video |
| 7 Across | 17. Appropriately named bus driver on "The Simpsons" |
| 8 Across | 18. Alternative to épée or foil, in British English |
| 9 Across | 19. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature |
| 10 Across | 20. Classic Hanukkah treat |
| 11 Across | 23. Brownish-yellow fabric |
| 12 Across | 24. Institution of higher education, to a Brit |
| 13 Across | 25. Sleeper's breathing problem |
| 14 Across | 27. Lead-in to "drink and be merry" |
| 15 Across | 28. Classic classroom party treat |
| 16 Across | 31. Antitrust enforcement org. |
| 17 Across | 32. Unfortunate accident |
| 18 Across | 34. Clever |
| 19 Across | 36. Highly pleased about |
| 20 Across | 38. Colored, as church glass |
| 21 Across | 39. Classic Halloween treat |
| 22 Across | 41. It's part of the job |
| 23 Across | 44. Prefix with classic |
| 24 Across | 45. Carve |
| 25 Across | 49. Take advantage of |
| 26 Across | 50. "Where'd you hear that?" |
| 27 Across | 54. Dream Team country, for short |
| 28 Across | 55. Take responsibility |
| 29 Across | 57. Cry from a movie director |
| 30 Across | 59. Classic Yuletide treat |
| 31 Across | 63. Prayer ender |
| 32 Across | 64. This should clear things up! |
| 33 Across | 65. Reject, as a bill |
| 34 Across | 66. Nothing, in Nogales |
| 35 Across | 67. Cries out |
| 36 Across | 68. Biblical garden |
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:
- October 11 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
- December 10 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
- Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_10
- February 16 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Across Solutions:
1 Across: "1. Longtime CBS procedural with multiple spinoffs"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 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 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NCIS
2 Across: "5. Highly capable"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A___T
- Similar words: superstar, sensation
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
- This is Across clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ADEPT
3 Across: "10. Ctrl+S command"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S__E
- Similar words: redeem, spare
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: (sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring
- This is Across clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SAVE
4 Across: "14. Alternative to check or credit card"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: C__H
- Similar words: John Cash, Johnny Cash
- Opposite of: credit
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: money in the form of bills or coins
- This is Across clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CASH
5 Across: "15. Secondary subject for a college student"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: M___R
- Similar words: modest, child
- Opposite of: major
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a young person of either sex
- This is Across clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MINOR
6 Across: "16. Short video"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: C__P
- Similar words: crop, dress
- Opposite of: unclip
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CLIP
7 Across: "17. Appropriately named bus driver on "The Simpsons""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: O__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
OTTO
8 Across: "18. Alternative to épée or foil, in British English"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S___E
- Similar words: saber, cavalry sword
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SABRE
9 Across: "19. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: O__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
OLGA
10 Across: "20. Classic Hanukkah treat"
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 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CHOCOLATECOIN
11 Across: "23. Brownish-yellow fabric"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: K___I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
KHAKI
12 Across: "24. Institution of higher education, to a Brit"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'I'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
UNI
13 Across: "25. Sleeper's breathing problem"
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: transient cessation of respiration
- This is Across clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
APNEA
14 Across: "27. Lead-in to "drink and be merry""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: eat up, use up
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: take in solid food
- This is Across clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
EAT
15 Across: "28. Classic classroom party treat"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: C_____E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: small cake baked in a muffin tin
- This is Across clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CUPCAKE
16 Across: "31. Antitrust enforcement org."
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'C'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
FTC
17 Across: "32. Unfortunate accident"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: M____P
- Similar words: bad luck, misadventure
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
- This is Across clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
MISHAP
18 Across: "34. Clever"
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: sharp, shrewd
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
- This is Across clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ASTUTE
19 Across: "36. Highly pleased about"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'F'
- Word pattern: P_____F
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
PROUDOF
20 Across: "38. Colored, as church glass"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: S_____D
- Similar words: maculate, tarnish
- Opposite of: unstained
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: color with a liquid dye or tint
- This is Across clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
STAINED
21 Across: "39. Classic Halloween treat"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 9 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 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CANDYCORN
22 Across: "41. It's part of the job"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: T__K
- Similar words: project, undertaking
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
- This is Across clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
TASK
23 Across: "44. Prefix with classic"
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 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NEO
24 Across: "45. Carve"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: E__H
- Similar words: engrave
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: make an etching of
- This is Across clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ETCH
25 Across: "49. Take advantage of"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'E'
- Similar words: apply, usage
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the act of using
- This is Across clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
USE
26 Across: "50. "Where'd you hear that?""
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 7 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: S_____O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
SAYSWHO
27 Across: "54. Dream Team country, for short"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 3 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'A'
- Similar words: United States, U. S. Army
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
USA
28 Across: "55. Take responsibility"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: S____P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
STEPUP
29 Across: "57. Cry from a movie director"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 6 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
ANDCUT
30 Across: "59. Classic Yuletide treat"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 15 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 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
CHRISTMASCOOKIE
31 Across: "63. Prayer ender"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: A__N
- Similar words: Amon, Amun
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Across clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
AMEN
32 Across: "64. This should clear things up!"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: L___K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
- This is Across clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
LASIK
33 Across: "65. Reject, as a bill"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'V' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: V__O
- Similar words: forbid, interdict
- Opposite of: allow
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a vote that blocks a decision
- This is Across clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
VETO
34 Across: "66. Nothing, in Nogales"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: N__A
- Similar words: cypher, cipher
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a quantity of no importance
- This is Across clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
NADA
35 Across: "67. Cries out"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 5 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: Y___S
- Similar words: yelping, yap
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a sharp high-pitched cry (especially by a dog)
- This is Across clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
YELPS
36 Across: "68. Biblical garden"
Helpful hints for this Across clue:
- This word has 4 letters going left to right
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: E__N
- Similar words: Garden of Eden, promised land
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
- This is Across clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Across answer
EDEN
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.
