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.

Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers Today – January 1, 2026 - 1

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 17, 2025

  • 1 Across : Biblical kingdom east of the Dead Sea- MOAB

  • 5 Across : “But there is __ in Mudville … ” – NOJOY

  • 10 Across : Pack and send – SHIP

  • 14 Across : Poet __ St. Vincent Millay – EDNA

  • 15 Across : Abruptly end an engagement? – ELOPE

  • 16 Across : Nevada city on the Truckee River- RENO

  • 17 Across : Pros and __ – CONS

  • 18 Across : Relentlessly protect the line on the battlefield- MAKEASTAND

  • 20 Across : Artist with success in more than one genre – CROSSOVERSTAR

  • 22 Across : To this point – ASYET

  • 23 Across : Snacked – ATE

  • 24 Across : Scratch, say – MAR

  • 27 Across : Fortuneteller’s deck – TAROT

  • 31 Across : Home for Sharks or Kraken – ARENA

  • 33 Across : Frito-__ snacks – LAY

  • 36 Across : What an angsty teenager may slam- BEDROOMDOOR

  • 39 Across : Skin care brand – OLAY

  • 41 Across : Decorate – ADORN

  • 42 Across : BMW competitor – AUDI

  • 43 Across : Be useless – TAKEUPSPACE

  • 46 Across : Sum of the first three prime numbers – TEN

  • 47 Across : __ legend – URBAN

  • 48 Across : Choose – ELECT

  • 50 Across : Big D sch. – SMU

  • 51 Across : Org. that may confiscate liquids – TSA

  • 54 Across : Torah teacher – RABBI

  • 58 Across : Impressive basketball feats, and what 20-, 36-, and 43-Across have – TRIPLEDOUBLES

  • 63 Across : Find an extra level, à la Spinal Tap – GOTOELEVEN

  • 65 Across : Help (out) – BAIL

  • 66 Across : Innovator’s first step – IDEA

  • 67 Across : Like a baseball bat’s symmetry – AXIAL

  • 68 Across: Squeeze (past) – EDGE

  • 69 Across: Square figure – NERD

  • 70 Across: Running total – TALLY

  • 71 Across: Juicy bit of info – DEET

  • 1 Down : Hajj destination – MECCA

  • 2 Down : Smells – ODORS

  • 3 Down : Pester – ANNOY

  • 4 Down : Type of dog serenaded by Elvis on “The Steve Allen Show” – BASSET

  • 5 Down : Fictional clownfish – NEMO

  • 6 Down : Royal name of Norway – OLAV

  • 7 Down : Card material – JOKE

  • 8 Down : Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking,” for one – OPERA

  • 9 Down : Beer foam producer – YEAST

  • 10 Down : Mex. miss – SRTA

  • 11 Down : “I can explain” – HEARMEOUT

  • 12 Down : Travel stop – INN

  • 13 Down : Orca family group – POD

  • 19 Down : Boiling water output – STEAM

  • 21 Down : Guess – STAB

  • 25 Down : Cathode’s counterpart – ANODE

  • 26 Down : __ to go – RARIN

  • 28 Down : Gather, as crops – REAP

  • 29 Down : Against all __ – ODDS

  • 30 Down : Familiar theme – TROPE

  • 32 Down : Nutrition fig.- RDA

  • 33 Down : Seated meditation pose – LOTUS

  • 34 Down : False follower? – ALARM

  • 35 Down : Calorific tea ingredient in Tibet – YAKBUTTER

  • 37 Down : Like much medication – ORAL

  • 38 Down : __ in a lifetime – ONCE

  • 40 Down : Vote to pass a bill – YEA

  • 44 Down : Loosen, as a shoelace – UNTIE

  • 45 Down : Hosiery shade – ECRU

  • 49 Down : Like busy browser windows – TABBED

  • 52 Down : Water balloon sound – SLAT

  • 53 Down : Amazon assistant with regional accents – ALEXA

  • 55 Down : Mandoline piece – BLADE

  • 56 Down : Hosiery shade – BEIGE

  • 57 Down : Castaway’s place – ISLET

  • 59 Down : Fork locale – ROAD

  • 60 Down : Villainous – EVIL

  • 61 Down : Bargain – DEAL

  • 62 Down : Hulu’s “__ Murders in the Building” – ONLY

  • 63 Down : Gimlet liquor – GIN

  • 64 Down : Lines from an admirer – ODE

Today's Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers – December 17, 2025 - 2

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.

  1. Choose a Clue: Click on any clue in the “Across” or “Down” lists.
  2. Enter Your Answer: The corresponding squares in the grid will be highlighted. Type your answer. The cursor will automatically move to the next square.
  3. Switch Directions: You can press the spacebar or click a square a second time to toggle between “Across” and “Down.”
  4. 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.