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 24, 2025.

“Wrap Up” USA TODAY Crossword Answers Today: January 8, 2026 - 1

Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for December 24, 2025

  • 1 Across: Pharmacy chain – CVS

  • 4 Across: ___ Watanabe-Finster (“Rugrats” character) – KIMI

  • 8 Across: Pocket-sized – SMALL

  • 13 Across: K-pop singer Henry – LAU

  • 14 Across: Home to the Golestan Palace – IRAN

  • 15 Across: Sound transmission – AUDIO

  • 16 Across: Match before a final – SEMI

  • 17 Across: “Don’t say another ___!” – WORD

  • 18 Across: Exams for aspiring JDs – LSATS

  • 19 Across: DC superhero with adventures on Earth and in space – CAPTAINCOMET

  • 22 Across: Veggie that makes people tear up – ONION

  • 23 Across: Tilling tool – HOE

  • 24 Across: Accessible building feature – RAMP

  • 28 Across: Really scare – TERRIFY

  • 31 Across: Palindromic rally vehicle – RACECAR

  • 33 Across: Three, in Italian – TRE

  • 34 Across: Cook’s creation – MEAL

  • 36 Across: “Ya don’t say…” – THATSO

  • 37 Across: Winged woman with a heart-fletched arrow in “Rhythm Heaven” – LADYCUPID

  • 39 Across: Make art, say – CREATE

  • 42 Across: Leaky faucet sound – DRIP

  • 43 Across: ___ Beta Kappa – PHI

  • 46 Across: People in charge – LEADERS

  • 48 Across: Many a Dinah Shore Weekend participant – LESBIAN

  • 50 Across: ___ and downs – UPS

  • 51 Across: National Cat Lady Day mo. – APR

  • 53 Across: Greek column style – IONIC

  • 54 Across: She was the original owner of Katniss’ Mockingjay pin, in “Sunrise on the Reaping” – MAYSILEEDONNER

  • 59 Across: Blanc or noir grape – PINOT

  • 60 Across: Each – APOP

  • 61 Across: “Lord of the Rings” actor Miranda – OTTO

  • 63 Across: Was a passenger – RODE

  • 64 Across: “Velvet Buzzsaw” actor Russo – RENE

  • 65 Across: ___ and switch – BAIT

  • 66 Across: Did some strokes – SWAM

  • 67 Across: Vehicle for going down a snowy hill – SLED

  • 68 Across: Mined minerals – ORES

  • 1 Down: Less grimy – CLEANER

  • 2 Down: “Buffy the ___ Slayer” – VAMPIRE

  • 3 Down: Romantic hopeful – SUITOR

  • 4 Down: New Zealand fruit or bird – KIWI

  • 5 Down: Get the wrinkles out of – IRON

  • 6 Down: Pi Day’s month – MARCH

  • 7 Down: Like some cats or pools – INDOOR

  • 8 Down: Retail event – SALE

  • 9 Down: Book that might be an instant classic – MUSTREAD

  • 10 Down: Mathematician Lovelace – ADA

  • 11 Down: Illuminated – LIT

  • 12 Down: ___ Angeles – LOS

  • 16 Down: Composer Joplin – SCOTT

  • 20 Down: Bring to life – ANIMATE

  • 21 Down: Filled pastry that isn’t vegetarian – MEATPIE

  • 25 Down: Play a part – ACT

  • 26 Down: Opposite of “menos” – MAS

  • 27 Down: Con’s counterpart – PRO

  • 29 Down: Like holidays observed at the national level – FEDERAL

  • 30 Down: “Woot!” – YAY

  • 32 Down: Contributes to a group gift, say – CHIPSIN

  • 35 Down: TV screen type – LCD

  • 37 Down: Young chap – LAD

  • 38 Down: Browser address – URL

  • 39 Down: Compacted mass – CLUMP

  • 40 Down: Fixes – REPAIRS

  • 41 Down: “Whoa there!” – EASYNOW

  • 43 Down: Sticky stuff from an evergreen – PINETAR

  • 44 Down: Ponytail holder – HAIRTIE

  • 45 Down: “Monsters, ___” – INC

  • 47 Down: Some pickle slices – SPEARS

  • 49 Down: Great ape – BONOBO

  • 52 Down: Fight off – REPEL

  • 55 Down: Sweet fizzy drink – SODA

  • 56 Down: Thing in a shopping cart – ITEM

  • 57 Down: “She gets the job ___” (Chappell Roan lyric) – DONE

  • 58 Down: Slanted column? – OPED

  • 62 Down: Bonus game periods, for short – OTS

“Reindeer Games” USA TODAY Crossword Answers Today: December 24, 2025 - 2

How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Crossword? Did you cruise to victory or get briefly stumped?

This USA Today Crossword felt festive and wide-ranging, blending pop culture, literature, history, and everyday life in a way that made the grid feel celebratory rather than dense. I liked how the puzzle balanced light, conversational clues with a few longer, story-driven entries that added personality and ambition, giving the solve a sense of occasion fitting for the date. The mix of modern entertainment, classic references, and practical vocabulary kept me constantly shifting gears, which made the experience engaging without ever feeling overwhelming. The downs supported that flow nicely, offering steady progress through familiar ideas and clean clueing. Overall, it came across as lively, inclusive, and thoughtfully paced a crossword that feels like a holiday gathering of ideas. I’d rate it 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.