Looking for a quick and fun way to boost your brainpower? The USA TODAY Easy Crossword is your perfect daily fit! This puzzle is designed to be accessible and solvable, offering straightforward clues and answers in a compact grid. Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking for a relaxing solve, we’re here to help you cross the finish line. Below are the clues and solutions for today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword for December 11, 2025 .
Today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for December 11, 2025
1 Across: Start to melt – THAW
5 Across: Wandering animal – STRAY
10 Across: Big sheet of ice – FLOE
14 Across: Fence opening – GATE
15 Across: Thorough investigation – PROBE
16 Across: Where Des Moines is – IOWA
17 Across: Much-admired celebrity – IDOL
18 Across: Actors’ parts – ROLES
19 Across: Participates in a marathon – RUNS
20 Across: Criticize – FINDFAULT
22 Across: Balance-sheet plus – ASSET
23 Across: “My___are sealed!” – LIPS
24 Across: Take up a hem, perhaps – ALTER
25 Across: Keep in a cage – CONFINE
29 Across: Horse’s foot – HOOF
30 Across: Grownup – ADULT
31 Across: Handout in a fine restaurant – WINELIST
35 Across: Fizzy drink – SODA
36 Across: Lessen – ABATE
38 Across: Capital of Norway – OSLO
39 Across: Railroad bridge supports – TRESTLES
41 Across: Dog treats – BONES
42 Across: Putter’s target – HOLE
43 Across: Steering system components – TIERODS
45 Across: Southpaw’s nickname – LEFTY
47 Across: Nary a soul – NONE
48 Across: Is knocked for a loop – REELS
49 Across: Cafeteria brawl – FOODFIGHT
54 Across: Prefix for dynamic – AERO
55 Across: Similarly – ALIKE
56 Across: Fly like an eagle – SOAR
57 Across: Duet plus one – TRIO
58 Across: Washbowl – BASIN
59 Across: Not punctual – LATE
60 Across: Peered at – EYED
61 Across: Paid out – SPENT
62 Across: Otherwise – ELSE
1 Down: Employee’s end-of-week shout – TGIF
2 Down: “___but known!” – HADI
3 Down: Oodles – ATON
4 Down: Fuse, as metal – WELD
5 Down: Ankle injury – SPRAIN
6 Down: Band of traveling actors – TROUPE
7 Down: Breadbasket items – ROLLS
8 Down: Assist in a crime – ABET
9 Down: “Absolutely!” – YES
10 Down: Building’s ground level – FIRSTFLOOR
11 Down: Contemptible one – LOUSE
12 Down: Deed holder – OWNER
13 Down: Sunrise direction – EAST
21 Down: Move like a butterfly – FLIT
22 Down: Skin-cream ingredient – ALOE
24 Down: Top-notch – AONE
25 Down: Throw out a fishing line – CAST
26 Down: Air freshener target – ODOR
27 Down: Hosiery shade – NUDE
28 Down: Result of a sudden downpour – FLASHFLOOD
29 Down: Best-seller – HIT
31 Down: Used to be – WAS
32 Down: “Money___object” – ISNO
33 Down: Winter coaster – SLED
34 Down: Mix, as salad – TOSS
36 Down: Wartime partner – ALLY
37 Down: Stinging insect – BEE
40 Down: Little kids – TOTS
41 Down: Butcher shop buy – BEEF
43 Down: Adopted, as a pet – TOOKIN
44 Down: Start a paragraph – INDENT
45 Down: Skeptical – LEERY
46 Down: Very strange – EERIE
47 Down: Library no-no – NOISE
48 Down: Hotel room fee – RATE
49 Down: Envelope part – FLAP
50 Down: Speck of land in the sea – ISLE
51 Down: Soccer score – GOAL
52 Down: Berets and bonnets – HATS
53 Down: Elm, for one – TREE
55 Down: Tummy muscles, for short – ABS
How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword? Did you cruise to a speedy victory?
Today’s USA Today Easy Crossword offers a smooth, friendly solve with the kind of clean cluing and familiar vocabulary that makes it welcoming to solvers of all levels. The grid flows naturally from section to section, anchored by clear thematic structure and supported by tidy mid-length fill that keeps the momentum steady. Even the simplest clues have a nice polish to them, giving the puzzle a cohesive, thoughtfully assembled feel. It’s a light, confidence-boosting crossword that provides just enough texture to stay engaging without ever becoming demanding. I’d rate it 4.5 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
- USA Today Crossword Answers
How to Play the USA TODAY Easy Crossword
Playing the USA TODAY Easy Crossword is hassle-free and lightning-fast.
- The Goal: The object is to completely fill the 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 Easy Crossword is released every day, guaranteeing a fresh burst of puzzle fun.
