Our NYT Crossword Hints for December 26, 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 26, 2025
You’ll find hints for all of the crossword clues for the NYT Crossword on 12/26/25. 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. Dawdler
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9A. Cuts short
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15A. Typical sight in a bank robbery cartoon
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16A. Kitsch
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17A. Doing some theater work
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18A. Cracked wheat used in tabbouleh
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19A. One whose beauty is on the inside
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20A. Whole kit and caboodle
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22A. ___-Latin (like some modern coinages)
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23A. Plant that's toxic to cats
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24A. Some babysitters
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25A. A cold one is unexpected (and usually unappreciated)
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26A. Since Jan. 1, on a pay stub
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27A. Tuesday, in French
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28A. Song commonly performed outdoors
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29A. Food that can be prepared de canasta
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30A. ___ Tuesday (end of the pre-Lenten season)
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31A. One toeing the line?
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35A. Individually
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36A. Editorialize
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37A. Overly self-assertive
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38A. Like a good sponge cake
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39A. Down Under bird that scientists are working to "de-extinct"
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42A. Singular, with or without its first letter
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43A. Origin story family in DC Comics
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44A. Facility
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45A. Certain care provider, for short
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46A. Re-fresh?
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47A. It might be marked with an X
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48A. Linked with
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50A. Drive
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52A. Harden and become resistant to change
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53A. Life partner, perhaps?
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54A. Old coin with a picture of Generalissimo Franco
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55A. Treated with respect
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1D. How a supervillain might brag
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2D. FLIP
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3D. Waiting for support, maybe
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4D. Like untended plots
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5D. Funeral __
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6D. Broad band?
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7D. Royal Australian Air Force insignia
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8D. Competition that combines speed with balance
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9D. Professor Dumbledore
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10D. Contest
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11D. Bevy : quail :: parliament : ___
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12D. The world's end, in Norse mythology
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13D. Mr. or Ms. Right
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14D. Baby sitter?
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21D. Half of a classic rum cocktail's name
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24D. Component of a nautilus shell
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25D. Eric who wrote and illustrated "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me"
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27D. Stick by a fireplace
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28D. Mantra
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29D. Nearby things
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30D. Like the pope's guards
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31D. Area on which to eat or play cards
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32D. "You can absolutely count on me"
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33D. Figure in sci-fi's "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," e.g.
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34D. Great illustrations
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38D. Connected
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39D. Sister of Moses
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40D. Worth considering
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41D. Made up
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43D. Nation dubbed the "cradle of mankind"
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44D. Understood
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46D. Big break
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47D. Stack up
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49D. Casting need
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51D. Short diner order
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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