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 26, 2025.
USA TODAY Crossword Clues for November 26, 2025
Grab your pencil or device and your sharpest wits! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
- 1A: Fireplace residue – Starts with the letter “ A “
- 4A: “Lately, ___ been dressing for revenge” – Starts with the letter “ S “
- 8A: N95 masks, gloves, etc., for short – Starts with the letter “ P “
- 11A: Farm storage structure – Starts with the letter “ S “
- 12A: Red, in French – Starts with the letter “ R “
- 13A: That man – Starts with the letter “ H “
- 14A: Approaching a situation with a lot of energy – Starts with the letter “ C “
- 16A: Fish also known as wahoo – Starts with the letter “ O “
- 17A: Cadbury treat with fondant filling – Starts with the letter “ C “
- 18A: Smelled awful – Starts with the letter “ S “
- 20A: Observe – Starts with the letter “ S “
- 21A: Fungus that makes bread rise – Starts with the letter “ Y “
- 23A: Was dishonest – Starts with the letter “ L “
- 24A: “uh no idea” – Starts with the letter “ I “
- 25A: Had a bad tumble – Starts with the letter “ A “
- 28A: Perspective – Starts with the letter “ A “
- 31A: Unadorned – Starts with the letter “ B “
- 33A: Aunt, in Spanish – Starts with the letter “ T “
- 34A: “That’s rich coming from you!” – Starts with the letter “ L “
- 38A: ___-mo replay – Starts with the letter “ S “
- 39A: Trees that produce acorns – Starts with the letter “ O “
- 40A: Makes pig sounds – Starts with the letter “ O “
- 41A: Something that’s no longer exciting to hear – Starts with the letter “ O “
- 44A: Long, long time – Starts with the letter “ E “
- 45A: The “Y” of YSL – Starts with the letter “ Y “
- 46A: Spanish small plates – Starts with the letter “ T “
- 49A: Public transit option – Starts with the letter “ B “
- 52A: Each of the Sanderson sisters in “Hocus Pocus” – Starts with the letter “ W “
- 54A: Starchy food like tteokbokki – Starts with the letter “ R “
- 56A: Corn on the ___ – Starts with the letter “ C “
- 57A: Room with a big screen and surround sound, maybe – Starts with the letter “ H “
- 59A: Spherical sushi topping – Starts with the letter “ R “
- 60A: “In this ___, I will . . .” – Starts with the letter “ E “
- 61A: Modern term for people who can’t seem to think for themselves – Starts with the letter “ N “
- 62A: Football gains (Abbr.) – Starts with the letter “ Y “
- 63A: Moistens – Starts with the letter “ W “
- 64A: “That was silly of me!” – Starts with the letter “ D “
Down Clues: ⬇️
- 1D: “The White Lotus” star ___ Lou Wood — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 2D: Like unlikely chances — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 3D: Green melon named for its sweet flesh — Starts with the letter “ H “
- 4D: Contents of albums — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 5D: “I’m confused” — Starts with the letter “ H “
- 6D: Psyche parts — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 7D: Pay, like a bill — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 8D: Give a half-hearted effort — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 9D: Rhyming Starbucks drink also known as a Strawberry Acai Refresher — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 10D: Style associated with side-swept bangs — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 11D: Achy — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 12D: Latvia’s capital — Starts with the letter “ R “
- 14D: Includes on an email thread — Starts with the letter “ C “
- 15D: Nerdy enthusiast — Starts with the letter “ G “
- 19D: Help — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 22D: Open-top pastries — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 24D: Type — Starts with the letter “ I “
- 26D: Coffee alternative — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 27D: @s on Instagram — Starts with the letter “ T “
- 28D: Too — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 29D: Industry that includes Igbo-language films — Starts with the letter “ N “
- 30D: Positive aura — Starts with the letter “ G “
- 31D: Brag — Starts with the letter “ B “
- 32D: Inquire — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 35D: “___ old are you?” — Starts with the letter “ H “
- 36D: Unresolved part of a storyline — Starts with the letter “ L “
- 37D: Next of ___ — Starts with the letter “ K “
- 42D: Padel court divider — Starts with the letter “ N “
- 43D: Abstain from — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 44D: Per item — Starts with the letter “ E “
- 47D: Regions — Starts with the letter “ A “
- 48D: Feel sorry for — Starts with the letter “ P “
- 49D: Tray of cookies, for example — Starts with the letter “ B “
- 50D: Luau instruments, for short — Starts with the letter “ U “
- 51D: To be, in Portuguese — Starts with the letter “ S “
- 53D: Kiddie pool filler — Starts with the letter “ H “
- 55D: Accessory on a guitar’s neck — Starts with the letter “ C “
- 56D: Shed tears — Starts with the letter “ C “
- 58D: Winter hrs. in Albuquerque — Starts with the letter “ M “
Finished solving? Check your answers right here below!
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for November 26, 2025
1A: Fireplace residue – ASH
4A: “Lately, ___ been dressing for revenge” – SHES
8A: N95 masks, gloves, etc., for short – PPE
11A: Farm storage structure – SILO
12A: Red, in French – ROUGE
13A: That man – HIM
14A: Approaching a situation with a lot of energy – COMINGINHOT
16A: Fish also known as wahoo – ONO
17A: Cadbury treat with fondant filling – CREMEEGG
18A: Smelled awful – STANK
20A: Observe – SEE
21A: Fungus that makes bread rise – YEAST
23A: Was dishonest – LIED
24A: “uh no idea” – IDK
25A: Had a bad tumble – ATEDIRT
28A: Perspective – ANGLE
31A: Unadorned – BARE
33A: Aunt, in Spanish – TIA
34A: “That’s rich coming from you!” – LOOKWHOSTALKING
38A: ___-mo replay – SLO
39A: Trees that produce acorns – OAKS
40A: Makes pig sounds – OINKS
41A: Something that’s no longer exciting to hear – OLDNEWS
44A: Long, long time – EON
45A: The “Y” of YSL – YVES
46A: Spanish small plates – TAPAS
49A: Public transit option – BUS
52A: Each of the Sanderson sisters in “Hocus Pocus” – WITCH
54A: Starchy food like tteokbokki – RICECAKE
56A: Corn on the ___ – COB
57A: Room with a big screen and surround sound, maybe – HOMETHEATER
59A: Spherical sushi topping – ROE
60A: “In this ___, I will . . .” – ESSAY
61A: Modern term for people who can’t seem to think for themselves – NPCS
62A: Football gains (Abbr.) – YDS
63A: Moistens – WETS
64A: “That was silly of me!” – DOH
1D: “The White Lotus” star ___ Lou Wood – AIMEE
2D: Like unlikely chances – SLIM
3D: Green melon named for its sweet flesh – HONEYDEW
4D: Contents of albums – SONGS
5D: “I’m confused” – HUH
6D: Psyche parts – EGOS
7D: Pay, like a bill – SETTLE
8D: Give a half-hearted effort – PHONEITIN
9D: Rhyming Starbucks drink also known as a Strawberry Acai Refresher – PINKDRINK
10D: Style associated with side-swept bangs – EMO
11D: Achy – SORE
12D: Latvia’s capital – RIGA
14D: Includes on an email thread – CCS
15D: Nerdy enthusiast – GEEK
19D: Help – AID
22D: Open-top pastries – TARTS
24D: Type – ILK
26D: Coffee alternative – TEA
27D: @s on Instagram – TAGS
28D: Too – ALSO
29D: Industry that includes Igbo-language films – NOLLYWOOD
30D: Positive aura – GOODVIBES
31D: Brag – BOAST
32D: Inquire – ASK
35D: “___ old are you?” – HOW
36D: Unresolved part of a storyline – LOOSEEND
37D: Next of ___ – KIN
42D: Padel court divider – NET
43D: Abstain from – ESCHEW
44D: Per item – EACH
47D: Regions – AREAS
48D: Feel sorry for – PITY
49D: Tray of cookies, for example – BATCH
50D: Luau instruments, for short – UKES
51D: To be, in Portuguese – SER
53D: Kiddie pool filler – HOSE
55D: Accessory on a guitar’s neck – CAPO
56D: Shed tears – CRY
58D: Winter hrs. in Albuquerque – MST
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 fun, conversational tone that made the solving experience feel lively and modern. The clues were approachable but clever enough to keep things interesting, creating a smooth rhythm with very few slowdowns. It struck a great balance between accessible fill and playful language, making it an enjoyable puzzle to move through from start to finish. Overall, it felt like a friendly, well-crafted solve perfect for a quick daily brain stretch. 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.
