Firing up the Washington Post’s daily crossword is a classic ritual, but it can be a real brain-bender. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just getting started, some days the clues (and that tricky theme!) just don’t click. Since the WaPo daily can be tough sometimes, solving it can be quite a challenge. If you’ve found yourself stuck on a few answers, you’ve come to the right guide. Here are hints and answers for today’s Washington Post (LA Times) Daily crossword puzzle.
Note: The Washington Post and the LA Times share the same Daily Crossword every day, so you can play either.
Today’s Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Answers for December 9, 2025
1 Across : Perfectly clear – LUCID
6 Across : Website with a Collectibles category – EBAY
10 Across : Capture digitally – SCAN
14 Across : __ note: dictionary explanation – USAGE
15 Across : “Encore!” – MORE
16 Across : Lymph __: immune system part – NODE
17 Across : *Metaphorical container similar to Pandora’s box – CANOFWORMS
19 Across : Having the resources – ABLE
20 Across : Crumbly Mexican cheese – COTIJA
21 Across : Unpleasantly bitter – ACRID
22 Across : “Beat Bobby Flay” contestant – CHEF
24 Across : *Result of serious core training – SIXPACKABS
27 Across : Stay hidden – HOLEUP
29 Across : Unoriginal reply – ECHO
30 Across : Retired record holders? – IPODS
31 Across : Book before Amos – JOEL
33 Across : Basketball Hall of Famer Steve – NASH
37 Across : Lucy of “Elementary” – LIU
38 Across : Trip to buy brewskis, or a sequence found in the starts of the answers to the starred clues – BEEERUN
41 Across : -pitch softball – SLO
42 Across: Enthusiastic about – INTO
44 Across: Sporty trucks, briefly – UTES
45 Across: Schindler of “Schindler’s List” – OSKAR
47 Across: Tedious talker – BORE
49 Across: Reach – ATTAIN
50 Across: *Advocate from a social agency – CASEWORKER
55 Across: Stops on the road – INNS
56 Across: In the slightest – ATALL
57 Across: Vein counterpart – ARTERY
59 Across: Modest skirt – MAXI
60 Across: *Pilot’s aerobatic maneuver – BARRELROLL
64 Across: Lovers’ god – EROS
65 Across: Muppet with a sister named Daisy – ELMO
66 Across: Actress Mila – KUNIS
67 Across: “Click here” text – LINK
68 Across: “ Diary … ” – DEAR
69 Across : Sprinter’s asset – SPEED
1 Down : Enterprise captain Jean-__ Picard – LUC
2 Down : Mex. neighbor – USA
3 Down : Neutralize – CANCELOUT
4 Down : Acknowledgment of a screwup – IGOOFED
5 Down : Nimble-fingered – DEFT
6 Down : Face With Steam From Nose, for one – EMOJI
7 Down : 20 Mule Team laundry product – BORAX
8 Down : One-__ pushup – ARM
9 Down : “You guessed it!” – YES
10 Down : Eat as a treat – SNACKON
11 Down : Hooded serpent – COBRA
12 Down : Invent lines – ADLIB
13 Down : Requires – NEEDS
18 Down : Trace of smoke – WISP
21 Down : “__ du lieber!” – ACH
22 Down : Frito pie ingredient – CHILI
23 Down : Uber driver’s invitation – HOPIN
25 Down : Looks closely (at) – PEERS
26 Down : Human rights org. – ACLU
28 Down : Plug-and-play port – USB
31 Down : Derek whose No. 2 was retired by the Yankees – JETER
32 Down : Mined resource – ORE
34 Down : “Everybody will tell you the same!” – ASKANYONE
35 Down : Done in, as a dragon – SLAIN
36 Down : Trio on a triceratops – HORNS
39 Down : French money – EURO
40 Down : “Kidding!” – NOT
43 Down : Tall monument that comes to a point – OBELISK
46 Down : Saddle attachment – STIRUP
48 Down : Hooting hunter – OWL
49 Down : Museo del Prado display – ARTE
50 Down : Humped oasis visitor – CAMEL
51 Down : Activision rival – ATARI
52 Down : Early invader of Britain – SAXON
53 Down : “__ Chameleon”: Culture Club hit – KARMA
54 Down : Screwup – ERROR
58 Down : Grand Lodge group – ELKS
60 Down : Spot for bulbs – BED
61 Down : Taproom pour – ALE
62 Down : Prevarication – LIE
63 Down : Trippy drug – LSD
Today’s Washington Post crossword had a slick, fast-moving feel that made the solve feel satisfying without being draining. The theme comes together cleanly and adds a fun layer of logic without overcomplicating the grid. Cluing felt sharp and modern, with just enough misdirection to keep things interesting while still feeling fair. The fill stayed smooth throughout, so nothing killed the momentum. Overall, it was a confident, well-paced puzzle that was genuinely fun to work through.
You can also checkout today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
- NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- LA Times Mini Crossword
- USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers
How to Play Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Puzzle
You can play the daily crossword for free on the Washington Post’s website under their “Games” section.
- Choose a Clue: Click on any clue in the “Across” or “Down” lists.
- Enter Your Answer: The corresponding squares in the grid will be highlighted. Type your answer. The cursor will automatically move to the next square.
- Switch Directions: You can press the spacebar or click a square a second time to toggle between “Across” and “Down.”
- Check Your Work: You can press the “Check” or “Reveal” feature if you get truly stuck.
That’s it, folks, come back again tomorrow for a fresh set of answers.
