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 December 7, 2025.
USA TODAY Crossword Clues for December 7, 2025
Grab your pencil or device and your sharpest wits! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
- 1A: Sign of an old injury — Starts with the letter “S”
- 5A: Floating navigation aid — Starts with the letter “B”
- 9A: ___ day (time to bench press) — Starts with the letter “C”
- 14A: Leafy green with a curly variety — Starts with the letter “K”
- 15A: Ctrl+Z command — Starts with the letter “U”
- 16A: Very fast — Starts with the letter “R”
- 17A: Privy to — Starts with the letter “I”
- 18A: ___ the pot — Starts with the letter “S”
- 19A: Memorial bios — Starts with the letter “O”
- 20A: “Just go for it!” — Starts with the letter “D”
- 23A: Go out with — Starts with the letter “S”
- 24A: Encountered — Starts with the letter “M”
- 25A: Picnic bug — Starts with the letter “A”
- 26A: Toboggan ride’s starting point — Starts with the letter “H”
- 29A: Sephora competitor — Starts with the letter “U”
- 33A: “Seriously, YOU betrayed me?” — Starts with the letter “E”
- 36A: “Oh noes!” — Starts with the letter “E”
- 37A: Larb or lyutika — Starts with the letter “S”
- 38A: The Heart of the Ocean in “Titanic” is one — Starts with the letter “D”
- 42A: Spanish for “tomorrow” — Starts with the letter “M”
- 43A: City in “The Iliad” — Starts with the letter “T”
- 44A: What a Puli dog resembles — Starts with the letter “M”
- 45A: 8-bit video game console — Starts with the letter “N”
- 46A: “Jojo Rabbit” actor Rockwell — Starts with the letter “S”
- 47A: Toward sunrise — Starts with the letter “E”
- 48A: Component of concrete — Starts with the letter “C”
- 51A: Nickname that drops “-colm” — Starts with the letter “M”
- 53A: Minecraft block — Starts with the letter “O”
- 54A: Julie Andrews’ co-star in “Mary Poppins” — Starts with the letter “D”
- 61A: ___ and crafts — Starts with the letter “A”
- 63A: Southernmost Great Lake — Starts with the letter “E”
- 64A: Itsy-bitsy — Starts with the letter “T”
- 65A: Feeling that workout — Starts with the letter “S”
- 66A: NaCl — Starts with the letter “S”
- 67A: ___ Lauder — Starts with the letter “E”
- 68A: Horse gait — Starts with the letter “T”
- 69A: Low pair in poker — Starts with the letter “T”
- 70A: Even scores — Starts with the letter “T”
Down Clues: ⬇️
- 1D: Loses traction — Starts with the letter “S”
- 2D: Camp craft? — Starts with the letter “C”
- 3D: Heart song with the lyric “‘Til now, I always got by on my own” — Starts with the letter “A”
- 4D: Pay to borrow — Starts with the letter “R”
- 5D: Whole bunch — Starts with the letter “B”
- 6D: ___ Goose Game (game whose title was inspired by a stock photograph) — Starts with the letter “U”
- 7D: Bigwig Norse god — Starts with the letter “O”
- 8D: The “Y” in NYC — Starts with the letter “Y”
- 9D: ___ and scepter (“RuPaul’s Drag Race” prize) — Starts with the letter “C”
- 10D: Done as a routine — Starts with the letter “H”
- 11D: Large-scale story — Starts with the letter “E”
- 12D: Construction area — Starts with the letter “S”
- 13D: Six-point plays (Abbr.) — Starts with the letter “T”
- 21D: “Why’d you tell me that?” — Starts with the letter “T”
- 22D: “Still, sparkling or ___?” — Starts with the letter “T”
- 26D: Compassionate — Starts with the letter “H”
- 27D: Outdoor wedding reception structures — Starts with the letter “T”
- 28D: Drama with arias — Starts with the letter “O”
- 30D: Mammal known for spitting — Starts with the letter “L”
- 31D: Some Chipotle orders — Starts with the letter “T”
- 32D: Very skilled — Starts with the letter “A”
- 33D: Genre that includes techno, for short — Starts with the letter “E”
- 34D: ___ Maria (rhyming coffee liqueur) — Starts with the letter “T”
- 35D: Color similar to khaki — Starts with the letter “T”
- 37D: That’s what’s up! — Starts with the letter “S”
- 39D: Without interruption — Starts with the letter “O”
- 40D: Most unpleasant — Starts with the letter “N”
- 41D: There’s one in 1,000 — Starts with the letter “C”
- 47D: Firstborn — Starts with the letter “E”
- 48D: Travel effortlessly — Starts with the letter “C”
- 49D: Screwup — Starts with the letter “E”
- 50D: Mass transit option — Starts with the letter “M”
- 52D: Initial poker payment — Starts with the letter “A”
- 55D: Metaphorical sticking point — Starts with the letter “C”
- 56D: Weightlifter’s unit, maybe — Starts with the letter “K”
- 57D: Docs who treat pooches — Starts with the letter “V”
- 58D: Cooler maker — Starts with the letter “Y”
- 59D: Midleg joint — Starts with the letter “K”
- 60D: Emoji that may mean “I’m paying attention!” — Starts with the letter “E”
- 62D: Ready to go — Starts with the letter “S”
Finished solving? Check your answers right here below!
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for December 7, 2025
1A: Sign of an old injury – SCAR
5A: Floating navigation aid – BUOY
9A: ___ day (time to bench press) – CHEST
14A: Leafy green with a curly variety – KALE
15A: Ctrl+Z command – UNDO
16A: Very fast – RAPID
17A: Privy to – INON
18A: ___ the pot – STIR
19A: Memorial bios – OBITS
20A: “Just go for it!” – DONTTHINKTWICE
23A: Go out with – SEE
24A: Encountered – MET
25A: Picnic bug – ANT
26A: Toboggan ride’s starting point – HILLTOP
29A: Sephora competitor – ULTA
33A: “Seriously, YOU betrayed me?” – ETTU
36A: “Oh noes!” – EEP
37A: Larb or lyutika – SALAD
38A: The Heart of the Ocean in “Titanic” is one – DIAMONDNECKLACE
42A: Spanish for “tomorrow” – MANANA
43A: City in “The Iliad” – TROY
44A: What a Puli dog resembles – MOP
45A: 8-bit video game console – NES
46A: “Jojo Rabbit” actor Rockwell – SAM
47A: Toward sunrise – EAST
48A: Component of concrete – CEMENT
51A: Nickname that drops “-colm” – MAL
53A: Minecraft block – ORE
54A: Julie Andrews’ co-star in “Mary Poppins” – DICKVANDYKE
61A: ___ and crafts – ARTS
63A: Southernmost Great Lake – ERIE
64A: Itsy-bitsy – TEENY
65A: Feeling that workout – SORE
66A: NaCl – SALT
67A: ___ Lauder – ESTEE
68A: Horse gait – TROT
69A: Low pair in poker – TWOS
70A: Even scores – TIES
1D: Loses traction – SKIDS
2D: Camp craft? – CANOE
3D: Heart song with the lyric “‘Til now, I always got by on my own” – ALONE
4D: Pay to borrow – RENT
5D: Whole bunch – BUSHEL
6D: ___ Goose Game (game whose title was inspired by a stock photograph) – UNTITLED
7D: Bigwig Norse god – ODIN
8D: The “Y” in NYC – YORK
9D: ___ and scepter (“RuPaul’s Drag Race” prize) – CROWN
10D: Done as a routine – HABITUAL
11D: Large-scale story – EPIC
12D: Construction area – SITE
13D: Six-point plays (Abbr.) – TDS
21D: “Why’d you tell me that?” – TMI
22D: “Still, sparkling or ___?” – TAP
26D: Compassionate – HUMANE
27D: Outdoor wedding reception structures – TENTS
28D: Drama with arias – OPERA
30D: Mammal known for spitting – LLAMA
31D: Some Chipotle orders – TACOS
32D: Very skilled – ADEPT
33D: Genre that includes techno, for short – EDM
34D: ___ Maria (rhyming coffee liqueur) – TIA
35D: Color similar to khaki – TAN
37D: That’s what’s up! – SKY
39D: Without interruption – ONEND
40D: Most unpleasant – NASTIEST
41D: There’s one in 1,000 – COMMA
47D: Firstborn – ELDEST
48D: Travel effortlessly – COAST
49D: Screwup – ERROR
50D: Mass transit option – METRO
52D: Initial poker payment – ANTE
55D: Metaphorical sticking point – CRAW
56D: Weightlifter’s unit, maybe – KILO
57D: Docs who treat pooches – VETS
58D: Cooler maker – YETI
59D: Midleg joint – KNEE
60D: Emoji that may mean “I’m paying attention!” – EYES
62D: Ready to go – SET
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 approachable feel, with clueing that stayed friendly while still delivering a few thoughtful moments. The overall difficulty landed around the medium range, making for a comfortable solve without feeling too simple. The grid’s modern tone and clean construction kept things engaging all the way through, and it wrapped up with a really satisfying rhythm. A pleasant daily puzzle that hit a nice balance between fun and focus. 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.
