NYT Crossword December 16 2025 Answers (12/16/25)

Our NYT Crossword December 16, 2025 answers guide should help you finish today’s crossword if you’ve found yourself stuck on a crossword clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily puzzle that tests solvers’ knowledge and vocabulary. It’s one of the most popular crosswords in the world, known for its challenging clues and clever wordplay. The puzzle is published in the print edition of The New York Times and is also available online.

NYT Crossword December 16, 2025 Answers

If you need help solving the NYT Crossword on 12/16/25, we’ve listed all of the crossword clues below so you can find the answer(s) you need. You can search for the clue and then select the appropriate clue to get the answer. We have done it this way so that if you’re just looking for a handful of clues, you won’t spoil other ones you’re working on!

Looking for answers to another NYT Crossword puzzle? Check out our archive of NYT Crossword Answers.

#	Clue
1A	Library acquisition
5A	Insta and Snap
9A	Start
14A	Roughly equivalent (to)
15A	Homie
16A	Maine-to-Florida hwy.
17A	What shares a key with "(" on a keyboard
18A	Reason to buy a magazine, perhaps
20A	Hockey feints
22A	Like someone who knows everything about a niche subject, maybe
23A	Prefix with cache or tag
24A	Person in hot pants?
26A	Name on a prestigious award
28A	It may be blond or pale
31A	Disgusting
33A	C-suite types
36A	Last stop before security, often
38A	Words of communal support
39A	Texter's "Then again …"
40A	Groundbreaking 1988 Japanese animated action film
42A	Orchestra-tuning instrument
43A	Negligent
45A	Turnabout, they say
47A	Tiny amount
48A	Pay taxes via the internet
49A	Air traveler's info
50A	Drinks served at fountains
52A	Govt. IDs
54A	Down Under land: Abbr.
56A	Computer acronym since the 1960s
58A	Inventor Nikola
62A	The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one
65A	Couple, in gossip
66A	"Aw, shucks!"
67A	Decorative pitcher
68A	Wacky
69A	Lords' lands
70A	Tells (on)
71A	After 1-Across, shelf accessories … or what can be placed "around" the halves of 18-, 36-, 45- and 62-Across to make new phrases?
1D	Genesis or Yes
2D	Many a character in "The Grapes of Wrath"
3D	Barnyard sound
4D	Prepare to be knighted
5D	Epitome of simplicity
6D	Genre for Genesis or Yes, informally
7D	Lead (the way)
8D	Glossy finishes
9D	Active and enthusiastic sort
10D	Approx.
11D	Easily found on the internet, say
12D	Memo heading
13D	Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix"
19D	Golden Age studio known for many Astaire/Rogers films
21D	You might heave a big one
25D	Places
27D	Mike in "Breaking Bad," for example
28D	Cancel, as a space launch
29D	Procrastinator's mantra
30D	What someone seeking validation might need
32D	Shallow boat with a square stern
34D	Neighbor of a Slovene
35D	"Take it easy!"
37D	Brother to Groucho
38D	Mournful cries
41D	One in a box at the theater?
44D	Tranquilizes
46D	Penalty in Monopoly
48D	Artist known for his "impossible staircases"
51D	Symbol of divine authority in hieroglyphics
53D	Grab control of
54D	Words before a date
55D	Tentative greeting
57D	The Hawkeye State
59D	Show extreme fandom for, in slang
60D	Give temporarily
61D	Ryan and Adams of Hollywood
63D	Whistle blower or flag thrower
64D	Hosp. hot spots

We also recommend trying your hand at the NYT Mini Crossword, which is definitely easier (on all days!) as it is a 5×5, compared to the full-sized crossword (which is 15×15, and the Sunday edition is 21×21!). New crosswords are released at 10PM ET on weekdays and 6PM ET on weekends.

The New York Times crossword was first published in The New York Times in 1942 and has been a daily feature ever since. It is known for its high level of difficulty and for its clever, often playful, clues and themes. The puzzles range in size from 15x15 grids on weekdays to larger 21x21 grids on Sundays, with varying levels of difficulty.

The New York Times crossword is created by a team of skilled puzzle constructors and editors, who work to ensure that each puzzle is both entertaining and challenging for solvers. The puzzles are often themed, with clues and answers related to a particular subject or concept, and they frequently feature wordplay and puns.

Solving the New York Times crossword has become a beloved pastime for many, and there are even competitions and clubs devoted to crossword puzzle solving. The New York Times crossword is available in print in the newspaper and online, and it has a dedicated following of loyal solvers who eagerly await each day's puzzle.

If you’re still struggling to solve your NYT crosswords, consider practicing with the Eugene Sheffer and Thomas Joseph dailies first. If you’re looking for similarly challenging crosswords, we recommend the WSJ Crossword and LA Times Crossword.