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 29, 2025
1 Across : “You snooze, you __!” – LOSE
5 Across : Not doing anything – IDLE
9 Across : Data on baseball cards – STATS
14 Across : Consumes a 15-Across – EATS
15 Across : Lunch or dinner – MEAL
16 Across : Cockpit gure – PILOT
17 Across : Hangout with ramps and rails for boarders and bladers – SKATEPARK
19 Across : French “between” – ENTRE
20 Across : Nine-digit ID – SSN
21 Across : Hard drive capacity prex – TERA
22 Across : Gemstone with colored stripes – AGATE
23 Across : Exclamation of surprise – HOLYMACKEREL
26 Across : British nobles with low ranking – BARONS
29 Across : Scottish gal – LASS
30 Across : Grows older – AGES
31 Across : __ pie: dish with corn chips – FRITO
33 Across : Tennis server’s success – ACE
36 Across: “This doesn’t seem right,” or what can be said about 17-, 23-, 46-, and 57-Across – SOMETHINGSFISHY
40 Across : Self-image – EGO
41 Across : Aired again – RERAN
42 Across : __-Ball: target game in arcades – SKEE
43 Across : Add to the payroll – HIRE
44 Across : Places for bracelets – WRISTS
46 Across : Diving stance with bent hips and straight legs – PIKEPOSITION
51 Across : Actress Tatum – ONEAL
52 Across : Convent residents- NUNS
53 Across : Spot for a facial – SPA
56 Across : Blue-gray color – SLATE
57 Across : A-OK – HUNKYDORY
59 Across : Guiding principle – TENET
60 Across : Length x width – AREA
61 Across : Sunburn-soothing succulent – ALOE
62 Across: Small earrings – STUDS
63 Across: Trial run – TEST
64 Across: Archery items – BOWS
1 Down : Not as expensive – LESS
2 Down : Acorn droppers – OAKS
3 Down : “underbolts*” actor Sebastian __ – STAN
4 Down : Approximate fig. – EST
5 Down : Spurs to action – IMPELS
6 Down : Sweetie pie – DEARY
7 Down : SoCal NFL player – LARAM
8 Down : Large deer in the Rockies – ELK
9 Down : Talks about – SPEAKSOF
10 Down : Touches of color – TINGES
11 Down : “I do” venue – ALTAR
12 Down : Rich layer cake – TORTE
13 Down : Construction girder metal – STEEL
18 Down : Historic British school – ETON
23 Down : Hydrant hookup – HOSE
24 Down : Arrange in a row – ALIGN
25 Down : Purring pets – CATS
26 Down : Acid counterpart – BASE
27 Down : Eager – AGOG
28 Down : San __, Italy – REMO
31 Down : “Little __ Everywhere”: Celeste Ng novel – FIRES
32 Down : Genetic messenger molecule – RNA
33 Down : Queries – ASKS
34 Down : NBA player Holmgren – CHET
35 Down : Potato spots – EYES
37 Down : Three siblings with the same birthday – TRIPLETS
38 Down : One saving the day – HERO
39 Down : “The proof __ the pudding” – ISIN
43 Down : Like a sauna – HEATED
44 Down : Reassure that one’s joking, in a way – WINKAT
45 Down : Like pink cheeks – ROSY
46 Down : Sends with a stamp – POSTS
47 Down : Small bay – INLET
48 Down : Actor Reeves who plays John Wick – KEANU
49 Down : Become accustomed (to) – INURE
50 Down : Adjusts a piano’s pitch, e.g. – TUNES
53 Down : Brand of red plastic cups – SOLO
54 Down : Boat’s front – PROW
55 Down : Armative votes – AYES
57 Down : Part of a Santa costume – HAT
58 Down: Apply gently – DAB

This Washington Post/LA Times crossword for December 29, 2025, provides a clever mental workout by anchoring its grid with a “fishy” theme that hides various aquatic species within common phrases. The construction feels modern and balanced, successfully blending contemporary pop culture references with classic trivia. It strikes a satisfying difficulty level for a Monday, offering enough thematic depth to keep seasoned solvers engaged while remaining accessible enough for newcomers to complete without frustration.
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.