Looking for a fun way to boost your brainpower? The USA TODAY Crossword is your perfect daily fit! This puzzle offers a mix of modern clues and straightforward answers in a compact grid. Whether you’re a pro solver or just starting your crossword journey, we’re here to help you cross the finish line. Below are the clues and solutions for today’s USA TODAY Crossword for November 16, 2025.
USA TODAY Crossword Clues for November 16, 2025
Grab your pencil or device and your sharpest wits! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
- 1A: WNBA star Charles — Starts with the letter “T”
- 5A: PDX winter hours — Starts with the letter “P”
- 8A: Feeds the pot — Starts with the letter “A”
- 13A: Sad Keanu and Sad Kermit, for two — Starts with the letter “M”
- 14A: Satyajit Ray protagonist — Starts with the letter “A”
- 15A: See 44-Across — Starts with the letter “P”
- 16A: Feels yesterday’s erg workout, say — Starts with the letter “A”
- 17A: Hi-___ image — Starts with the letter “R”
- 18A: Column of smoke — Starts with the letter “P”
- 19A: Oxford postgraduate student, often — Starts with the letter “R”
- 22A: “___ Possible” (Disney Channel series) — Starts with the letter “K”
- 23A: Envy or greed, for example — Starts with the letter “S”
- 24A: Mike’s partner in candy — Starts with the letter “I”
- 25A: “___ not!” — Starts with the letter “D”
- 28A: Goes on dates with — Starts with the letter “S”
- 30A: Most ready to pick — Starts with the letter “R”
- 32A: D-backs, on a scoreboard — Starts with the letter “A”
- 33A: Cornmeal cake — Starts with the letter “A”
- 35A: Bat mitzvahs, for example — Starts with the letter “R”
- 37A: Melty Reuben ingredient — Starts with the letter “S”
- 40A: Slightly off — Starts with the letter “A”
- 42A: Rain gutter locales — Starts with the letter “E”
- 43A: “Breaking ___” — Starts with the letter “B”
- 44A: With 15-Across, swimming spots for tots — Starts with the letter “K”
- 47A: “Planet of the ___” — Starts with the letter “A”
- 51A: Storm’s center — Starts with the letter “E”
- 52A: Day before Wed. — Starts with the letter “T”
- 53A: Genetic molecule — Starts with the letter “R”
- 55A: Small battery size — Starts with the letter “A”
- 56A: “Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!” sea shanty — Starts with the letter “D”
- 60A: Frog’s sound — Starts with the letter “C”
- 62A: Appreciative shout during a flamenco performance — Starts with the letter “O”
- 63A: Island nation near Tunisia — Starts with the letter “M”
- 64A: Made a decision — Starts with the letter “C”
- 65A: “Psych!” — Starts with the letter “N”
- 66A: “Grey’s Anatomy” star Pompeo — Starts with the letter “E”
- 67A: More painful — Starts with the letter “S”
- 68A: Ave. crossers — Starts with the letter “S”
- 69A: Fly like a pterodactyl — Starts with the letter “S”
Down Clues: ⬇️
- 1D: Bug expert? — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 2D: “Back from work!” — Starts with the letter “ I “
- 3D: Have to have — Starts with the letter “ N “
- 4D: Obnoxious people — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 5D: Root vegetables similar to carrots — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 6D: Design detail, for short — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 7D: Keister — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 8D: Gala host, perhaps? — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 9D: The Big Easy — Starts with the letter “ N “
- 10D: Bit of info on a band tee, maybe — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 11D: Stately tree — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 12D: U-turn from NNW — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 13D: Commemorates — Starts with the letter “ M “
- 20D: Thoroughbreds’ fathers — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 21D: Gives the green light to — Starts with the letter “ O “
- 26D: Extreme anger — Starts with the letter “ I “
- 27D: Prefix for “connect” — Starts with the letter “ D “
- 29D: Woodworking tools — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 31D: Walked back and forth — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 34D: Person who lives dangerously — Starts with the letter “ R “
- 36D: “Barbie” star Rae — Starts with the letter “ I “
- 37D: Discreet entrance — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 38D: Headgear worn in kitchens — Starts with the letter “ H “
- 39D: 10, 12, 14, 16, etc. — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 40D: “Honest” president — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 41D: “Star Wars” Day month — Starts with the letter “ M “
- 45D: Birth control option (Abbr.) — Starts with the letter “ I “
- 46D: They’re hunted by Huntr/x, in a 2025 Netflix film — Starts with the letter “ D “
- 48D: Rice dish with saffron — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 49D: Holiday that might include the egg-tapping game tsougrisma — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 50D: Underworld overlord — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 54D: Peaks — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 57D: Make less difficult — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 58D: “You’ve got _ of nerve!” — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 59D: Ring of light — Starts with the letter “ H “
- 60D: Loops in on an email — Starts with the letter “ C “
- 61D: Letter after p — Starts with the letter “ R “
Finished solving? Check your answers right here below!
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for November 16, 2025
1A: WNBA star Charles – TINA
5A: PDX winter hours – PST
8A: Feeds the pot – ANTES
13A: Sad Keanu and Sad Kermit, for two – MEMES
14A: Satyajit Ray protagonist – APU
15A: See 44-Across – POOLS
16A: Feels yesterday’s erg workout, say – ACHES
17A: Hi-___ image – RES
18A: Column of smoke – PLUME
19A: Oxford postgraduate student, often – RHODESSCHOLAR
22A: “___ Possible” (Disney Channel series) – KIM
23A: Envy or greed, for example – SIN
24A: Mike’s partner in candy – IKE
25A: “___ not!” – DID
28A: Goes on dates with – SEES
30A: Most ready to pick – RIPEST
32A: D-backs, on a scoreboard – ARI
33A: Cornmeal cake – AREPA
35A: Bat mitzvahs, for example – RITES
37A: Melty Reuben ingredient – SWISSCHEESE
40A: Slightly off – AMISS
42A: Rain gutter locales – EAVES
43A: “Breaking ___” – BAD
44A: With 15-Across, swimming spots for tots – KIDDIE
47A: “Planet of the ___” – APES
51A: Storm’s center – EYE
52A: Day before Wed. – TUE
53A: Genetic molecule – RNA
55A: Small battery size – AAA
56A: “Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!” sea shanty – DEADMANSCHEST
60A: Frog’s sound – CROAK
62A: Appreciative shout during a flamenco performance – OLE
63 A:Island nation near Tunisia – MALTA
64A: Made a decision – CHOSE
65A: “Psych!” – NOT
66A: “Grey’s Anatomy” star Pompeo – ELLEN
67A: More painful – SORER
68A: Ave. crossers – STS
69A: Fly like a pterodacty – SOAR
1D: Bug expert? – TECHIE
2D: “Back from work!” – IMHOME
3D: Have to have – NEED
4D: Obnoxious people – ASSES
5D: Root vegetables similar to carrots – PARSNIPS
6D: Design detail, for short – SPEC
7D: Keister – TUSHIE
8D: Gala host, perhaps? – APPLETREE
9D: The Big Easy – NOLA
10D: Bit of info on a band tee, maybe – TOURDATE
11D: Stately tree – ELM
12D: U-turn from NNW – SSE
13D: Commemorates – MARKS
20D: Thoroughbreds’ fathers – SIRES
21D: Gives the green light to – OKS
26D: Extreme anger – IRE
27D: Prefix for “connect” – DIS
29D: Woodworking tools – SAWS
31D: Walked back and forth – PACED
34D: Person who lives dangerously – RISKTAKER
36D: “Barbie” star Rae – ISSA
37D: Discreet entrance – SIDEDOOR
38D: Headgear worn in kitchens – HAIRNETS
39D: 10, 12, 14, 16, etc. – EVENS
40D: “Honest” president – ABE
41D: “Star Wars” Day month – MAY
45D: Birth control option (Abbr.) – IUD
46D:They’re hunted by Huntr/x, in a 2025 Netflix film – DEMONS
48D: Rice dish with saffron – PAELLA
49D: Holiday that might include the egg tapping game tsougrisma – EASTER
50D: Underworld overlord – SATAN
54D: Peaks – ACMES
57D: Make less difficult – EASE
58D: “You’ve got ___ of nerve!” – ALOT
59D: Ring of light – HALO
60D: Loops in on an email – CCS
61D: Letter after p – RHO
How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Crossword? Did you cruise to victory or get briefly stumped?
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Puzzle had a smooth and steady solving rhythm, leaning toward the easier side with just a couple of spots that required an extra moment of thought. The cluing felt clean and approachable, making the puzzle flow nicely without any major stalls. It had a friendly tone and a good balance of modern references and everyday language, which kept it engaging from start to finish. Overall, it was a relaxed and satisfying solve that felt ideal for a weekend. Overall rating: 4 out of 5.
You can also check out today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
- NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Hints and Answers
- LA Times Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post Mini Meta Crossword
- Boston Globe Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
How to Play the USA TODAY Crossword
Playing the USA TODAY Crossword is hassle-free and lightning-fast.
- The Goal: The object is to completely fill the small grid with words that correctly answer the “Across” (horizontal) and “Down” (vertical) clues.
- The Clues: Use the list of clues provided for each direction.
- Word Length: The grid itself guides you on the length of the words. A correct letter in one direction will often give you a helpful starting letter for the intersecting word.
- Intersections: Look for those crossing points! Solving an easy “Across” clue can provide key letters that make a tougher “Down” clue suddenly click.
- Daily Refresh: A brand new USA TODAY Crossword is released every day, guaranteeing a fresh burst of puzzle fun daily.
