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 12, 2025
1 Across: Concocts – BREWS
6 Across: “O Captain! My Captain!,” for one – ELEGY
11 Across: Org. with Falcons and Ravens – NFL
14 Across: Navel type – OUTIE
15 Across: Outdoor screen annoyance – GLARE
16 Across: Part of IPA – ALE
17 Across: Collect – AMASS
18 Across: Busiest port in South Korea – BUSAN `
19 Across: Chaps – MEN
20 Across: Lift system that offers a mechanical advantage – ROPEANDPEY
22 Across: Schoolbook – TEXT
23 Across: Fantasize about – DREAMOF
24 Across: Open the door for, say – SEEIN
26 Across: Cartoon frame – CEL
27 Across: Puts everything on the line – RISKSALL
30 Across: The “Thunder” of Marvel’s “Love and Thunder” – THOR
33 Across: “Thank you,” in Swahili – ASANTE
35 Across: “Excusez-__” – MOI
36 Across: Clambake leftovers – ASHES
38 Across: Smack – HIT
39 Across: Bit of witchcraft – SPELL
41 Across: “Everybody knows that!” – DUH
42 Across: Like some patches – IRONON
45 Across: Future atty.’s exam – LSAT
46 Across: Challenging HS class that covers Reconstruction and Prohibition – APISTORY
48 Across: __ Jima – IWO
50 Across: Pay for – TREAT
51 Across: “Guilty as charged” – THATSME
55 Across: Plant inspection org. – OSHA
57 Across: Summer forecast in the Southwest – SCORCGHEAT
59 Across: Lobster eggs – ROE
60 Across: Condition – STATE
61 Across: __ Dakota – NORTH
62 Across: Wheels – CAR
63 Across: Tea option – PEKOE
64 Across: Top-notch – ELITE
65 Across: “Rules __ rules” – ARE
66 Across: Sets loose – FREES
67 Across: Allude (to) – REFER
1 Down: Surf shop purchase – BOARD
2 Down: Hearsay – RUMOR
3 Down: Tour de France stage – ETAPE
4 Down: Smart aleck – WISEACRE
5 Down: Halvah flavor – SESAME
6 Down: Staff lines with a notable mnemonic – EGBDF
7 Down: Lats-working exercise, literally – LLUP
8 Down: Enters, as a hot tub – EASESINTO
9 Down: Most overcast – GRAYEST
10 Down: Japanese money – YEN
11 Down: “Who put you up to this?” – NAMENAMES
12 Down: Show off at the gym – FLEX
13 Down: Period after Ash Wednesday – LENT
21 Down: Po’boy city – NOLA
22 Down: Abs-working exercise, literally – TIS
25 Down: Squeezes (out) – EKES
27 Down: Hardly fair – RAINY
28 Down: “Copacabana” showgirl – LOLA
29 Down: Singsongy cadence – LILT
30 Down: Unveiling shout – TADA
31 Down: Pecs-working exercise, literally – HSUP
32 Down: “Didn’t expect to see you!” – OHHITHERE
34 Down: Dessert with a scone-like texture – SHORTCAKE
37 Down: Location – SITE
40 Down: Narrative incongruity – PLOTHOLE
43 Down: Oven pan – ROASTER
44 Down: Biceps-working exercise, literally – NIHC
47 Down: Sp. honorific – SRA
49 Down: Honus whose baseball card is famous – WAGNER
51 Down: Orchard makeup – TREES
52 Down: Font flourish – SERIF
53 Down: Not glossy – MATTE
54 Down: Upper regions of space – ETHER
55 Down: Killer whale – ORCA
56 Down: Fly high – SOAR
58 Down: __-Missouria Tribe – OTOE
60 Down: Beach bottle no. – SPF
Today’s WaPo/LATimes crossword hits a fun balance of clever and slightly chaotic. The theme lands clean once you see the trick, and the grid feels fresh with modern references and punchy cluing that keeps the energy up. Difficulty stays approachable while still giving seasoned solvers something to chew on. Overall, it’s a tight, lively puzzle with a clear personality and a concept that actually feels worth the reveal. I would rate this 3 out of 5.
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.
