Our NYT Crossword Hints for December 16, 2025 puzzle will help you move through the grid if you’ve found yourself stuck on a clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily crossword 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 paper and is also available online.
NYT Crossword Hints, December 16, 2025
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 12/16/25. The clues are listed below, and you can click/tap on a clue to go to its page for more detail, including definitions, but if you don’t want to be immediately spoiled, you can reveal letter by letter to still offer yourself more of a challenge before revealing the full solution.
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1A. Library acquisition
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5A. Insta and Snap
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9A. Start
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14A. Roughly equivalent (to)
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15A. Homie
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16A. Maine-to-Florida hwy.
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17A. What shares a key with "(" on a keyboard
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18A. Reason to buy a magazine, perhaps
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20A. Hockey feints
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22A. Like someone who knows everything about a niche subject, maybe
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23A. Prefix with cache or tag
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24A. Person in hot pants?
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26A. Name on a prestigious award
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28A. It may be blond or pale
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31A. Disgusting!
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33A. C-suite types
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36A. Last stop before security, often
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38A. Words of communal support
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39A. Texter's 'Then again . . .'
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40A. Groundbreaking 1988 Japanese animated action film
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42A. Orchestra tuning instrument
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43A. Negligent
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45A. Turnabout, they say
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47A. Tiny amount
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48A. Pay taxes via the internet
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49A. Air traveler's info
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50A. Drinks served at fountains
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52A. Govt. IDs
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54A. Down Under land: Abbr.
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56A. Computer acronym since the 1960s
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58A. Inventor Nikola
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62A. The IBM Simon Personal Communicator is considered the world's first one
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65A. Couple, in gossip
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66A. Aw shucks
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67A. Decorative pitcher
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68A. Wacky
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69A. Lords' lands
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70A. Tells on
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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?
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1D. Genesis or Yes
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2D. Many a character in "The Grapes of Wrath"
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3D. Barnyard sound
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4D. Prepare to be knighted
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5D. Epitome of simplicity
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6D. Genre for Genesis or Yes, informally
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7D. Lead the way
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8D. Glossy finishes
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9D. Active and enthusiastic sort
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10D. Approx.
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11D. Easily found on the internet, say
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12D. Memo heading
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13D. Grammy-winning R&B artist whose stage name is said to have been inspired by "The Matrix"
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19D. Golden Age studio known for many Astaire/Rogers films
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21D. You might heave a big one
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25D. Places
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27D. Mike in "Breaking Bad," for example
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28D. Cancel, as a space launch
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29D. Procrastinator's mantra
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30D. What someone seeking validation might need
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32D. Shallow boat with a square stern
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34D. Neighbor of a Slovene
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35D. Take it easy
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37D. Brother to Groucho
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38D. Mournful cries
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41D. One in a box at the theater?
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44D. Tranquilizes
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46D. Penalty in Monopoly
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48D. Artist known for his "impossible staircases"
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51D. Symbol of divine authority in hieroglyphics
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53D. Grab control of
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54D. Words before a date
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55D. Tentative greeting
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57D. The Hawkeye State
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59D. Show extreme fandom for, in slang
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60D. Give temporarily
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61D. Ryan and Adams of Hollywood
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63D. Whistle blower or flag thrower
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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.
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