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 29, 2025.
USA TODAY Crossword Clues for November 29, 2025
Grab your pencil or device and your sharpest wits! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
- 1A: Woolly Andean mammal — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 7A: Percussion instrument that’s shaken — Starts with the letter “ M “
- 13A: Two-kid playground fixture — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 14A: Exact revenge — Starts with the letter “ G “
- 15A: Genre featuring works that shouldn’t be taken at face value — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 16A: Experiencing nature in comfort, say — Starts with the letter “ G “
- 17A: Tampon alternative — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 18A: Animal that might have a beard — Starts with the letter “ G “
- 19A: Snacked — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 20A: Ready for customers — Starts with the letter “ O “
- 22A: Overly formal — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 23A: ___ tots — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 25A: It’s a bummer! — Starts with the letter “ W “
- 26A: Large family group — Starts with the letter “ C “
- 27A: Spiced fall drink — Starts with the letter “ C “
- 28A: Preferred way to express and receive care — Starts with the letter “ L “
- 31A: “The email didn’t come through. Can you ___ it?” — Starts with the letter “ R “
- 32A: Code ___ (signs of underlying problems, in programming) — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 35A: Assume leadership — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 38A: Essays — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 41A: Underwater creatures that look like 58-Across — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 42A: Kin, for short — Starts with the letter “ F “
- 43A: Some fencing swords — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 44A: It was once explored by Sojourner — Starts with the letter “ M “
- 45A: Appendages insured by some athletes — Starts with the letter “ L “
- 46A: Agree wordlessly — Starts with the letter “ N “
- 47A: “No, thanks” — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 48A: “The Simpsons” interjection — Starts with the letter “ D “
- 49A: Day care buddy, perhaps — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 52A: Make bubbly — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 55A: Ready to listen — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 56A: Person who may perform arabesques or ball changes — Starts with the letter “ D “
- 57A: Couldn’t resist laughing — Starts with the letter “ L “
- 58A: Ophidiophobe’s fear — Starts with the letter “ S “
Down Clues: ⬇️
- 1D: Braying animal — Starts with the letter “A”
- 2D: Singer Salonga — Starts with the letter “L”
- 3D: Personal annoyance — Starts with the letter “P”
- 4D: From Vietnam, say — Starts with the letter “A”
- 5D: Hallmark product — Starts with the letter “C”
- 6D: Wonderment — Starts with the letter “A”
- 7D: “Red” or “white” food category — Starts with the letter “M”
- 8D: Machine that spits out $20 bills — Starts with the letter “A”
- 9D: Agent, for short — Starts with the letter “R”
- 10D: Fly — Starts with the letter “A”
- 11D: ___ of gravity — Starts with the letter “C”
- 12D: Rage — Starts with the letter “A”
- 14D: Flashy rock subgenre — Starts with the letter “G”
- 16D: ___ rate (typical price) — Starts with the letter “G”
- 18D: “Thank U, Next” singer — Starts with the letter “G”
- 20D: Hooting bird — Starts with the letter “O”
- 21D: “Aww, you ___ thing!” — Starts with the letter “P”
- 22D: Ab exercises — Starts with the letter “P”
- 23D: Detroit baseball team — Starts with the letter “T”
- 24D: “Someone Like You” singer — Starts with the letter “A”
- 26D: Makes empty — Starts with the letter “C”
- 27D: Animals jumped over by some Yemeni athletes — Starts with the letter “C”
- 29D: ___ Lauder — Starts with the letter “E”
- 30D: Theater greeters — Starts with the letter “U”
- 33D: Clever trick to save money or time — Starts with the letter “L”
- 34D: Manage to get — Starts with the letter “S”
- 36D: Make fun of — Starts with the letter “T”
- 37D: Texting format, for short — Starts with the letter “S”
- 38D: Friend to write letters to — Starts with the letter “P”
- 39D: Moon landing program — Starts with the letter “A”
- 40D: Pair on a bicycle — Starts with the letter “P”
- 44D: Gymnastics cushions — Starts with the letter “M”
- 45D: ___ Doone (cookie brand) — Starts with the letter “L”
- 47D: Hair line — Starts with the letter “P”
- 48D: Faculty member — Starts with the letter “D”
- 50D: “Haven’t Met You ___” (Michael Buble song) — Starts with the letter “Y”
- 51D: ___ tai (tropical cocktail) — Starts with the letter “M”
- 52D: Sponsored content — Starts with the letter “A”
- 53D: Small item in a golf bag — Starts with the letter “T”
- 54D: Triage sites (Abbr.) — Starts with the letter “E”
Finished solving? Check your answers right here below!
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for November 29, 2025
1A: Woolly Andean mammal – ALPACA
7A: Percussion instrument that’s shaken – MARACA
13A: Two-kid playground fixture – SEESAW
14A: Exact revenge – GETEVEN
15A: Genre featuring works that shouldn’t be taken at face value – SATIRE
16A: Experiencing nature in comfort, say – GLAMPING
17A: Tampon alternative – PAD
18A: Animal that might have a beard – GOAT
19A: Snacked – ATE
20A: Ready for customers – OPEN
22A: Overly formal – PRIM
23A: ___ tots – TATER
25A: It’s a bummer! – WOE
26A: Large family group – CLAN
27A: Spiced fall drink – CIDER
28A: Preferred way to express and receive care – LOVELANGUAGE
31A: “The email didn’t come through. Can you ___ it?” – RESEND
32A: Code ___ (signs of underlying problems, in programming) – SMELLS
35A: Assume leadership – TAKETHEREINS
38A: Essays – PAPERS
41A: Underwater creatures that look like 58-Across – EELS
42A: Kin, for short – FAM
43A: Some fencing swords – EPEES
44A: It was once explored by Sojourner – MARS
45A: Appendages insured by some athletes – LEGS
46A: Agree wordlessly – NOD
47A: “No, thanks” – PASS
48A: “The Simpsons” interjection – DOH
49A: Day care buddy, perhaps – PLAYMATE
52A: Make bubbly – AERATE
55A: Ready to listen – ALLEARS
56A: Person who may perform arabesques or ball changes – DANCER
57A: Couldn’t resist laughing – LOSTIT
58A: Ophidiophobe’s fear – SNAKES
1D: Braying animal – ASS
2D: Singer Salonga – LEA
3D: Personal annoyance – PETPEEVE
4D: From Vietnam, say – ASIAN
5D: Hallmark product – CARD
6D: Wonderment – AWE
7D: “Red” or “white” food category – MEAT
8D: Machine that spits out $20 bills – ATM
9D: Agent, for short – REP
10D: Fly – AVIATE
11D: ___ of gravity – CENTER
12D: Rage – ANGER
14D: Flashy rock subgenre – GLAM
16D: ___ rate (typical price) – GOING
18D: “Thank U, Next” singer – GRANDE
20D: Hooting bird – OWL
21D: “Aww, you ___ thing!” – POOR
22D: Ab exercises – PLANKS
23D: Detroit baseball team – TIGERS
24D: “Someone Like You” singer – ADELE
26D: Makes empty – CLEARS
27D: Animals jumped over by some Yemeni athletes – CAMELS
29D: ___ Lauder – ESTEE
30D: Theater greeters – USHERS
33D: Clever trick to save money or time – LIFEHACK
34D: Manage to get – SNAG
36D: Make fun of – TEASE
37D: Texting format, for short – SMS
38D: Friend to write letters to – PENPAL
39D: Moon landing program – APOLLO
40D: Pair on a bicycle – PEDALS
44D: Gymnastics cushions – MATS
45D: ___ Doone (cookie brand) – LORNA
47D: Hair line – PART
48D: Faculty member – DEAN
50D: “Haven’t Met You ___” (Michael Buble song) – YET
51D: ___ tai (tropical cocktail) – MAI
52D: Sponsored content – ADS
53D: Small item in a golf bag – TEE
54D: Triage sites (Abbr.) – ERS
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 upbeat feel, with clueing that felt modern and conversational without being overly tricky. The grid flowed nicely and kept a steady rhythm, offering a few fun moments of recognition along the way. Nothing felt unfair or out of place, making it a relaxed solve that still felt rewarding to finish. Overall, it was a clean and enjoyable puzzle perfect for a quick daily brain stretch. Overall rating: 3.5 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.
