Each day, the LA Times Crossword offers a fun challenge for word lovers of all levels. Need help finishing today’s puzzle? You’ll find the December 18, 2025 clues and answers below to help you solve any tricky spots and complete the grid with confidence.

Across

1A “In the headlights” animal – DEER

5A Golf tops – TEES

10A Fury – RAGE

14A Soul, in Spanish – ALMA

15A “Alas and __!” – ALACK

16A Some Sharon Olds poems – ODES

17A Many an American employee – SALARIED WORKER

20A __ sauce – SOY

21A Called – NAMED

22A Brand of 5-Across – TITLEIST

24A Breakfast bowl berry – ACAI

25A List of pub grub – BAR MENU

28A Contest that starts with a center-ice faceoff – HOCKEY GAME

32A Skin soother – ALOE

33A HS diploma equivalent – GED

35A “All over that” – ON IT

36A Wellness space – SPA

37A Fruit also known as guanabana – SOURSOP

41A Herbal refreshment – TEA

42A Residential upgrades – HOME RENOVATIONS

45A Director Lee – ANG

46A Quick __ wink – AS A

47A Escapade – CAPER

49A Chess greats, for short – GMS

52A Indigenous Canadians – FIRST NATIONS

55A Red Bull slogan, and what can also be said of 17-, 25-, 28-, and 42-Across – GIVES YOU WINGS

59A Butter Restaurant chef/owner Guarnaschelli – ALEX

60A March follower – APRIL

61A Sushi seaweed – NORI

62A Pops – SODAS

63A Foul call, maybe – ERROR

64A Scratched (out) – EKED

65A Con – SCAM

66A Shoe bottoms – SOLES

67A Simchat bat, for one – RITE

Down

1D Absurd – DAFT

2D “First Lady of Song” Fitzgerald – ELLA

3D Qatari commander – EMIR

4D “The Entertainer” genre – RAG

5D Source of financial aid – TALENT SCOUT

6D Rio greeting – OLA

7D Muscle worked in dumbbell rows – LAT

8D Halloween mo. – OCT

9D Comedy scene – SKIT

10D “Good 4 U” singer Olivia – RODRIGO

11D Driver of “Ferrari” – ADAM

12D Part of an inheritance – GENE

13D Founded, as a co. – ESTD

18D Skyline obscurer – SMOG

19D Diane of “Law & Order: SVU” – NEAL

23D Excavated – DUG

24D “In conclusion … ” – LASTLY

25D Fun function – BASH

26D Chewy brand – ALOE

27D Wander – ROAM

29D Price for hand delivery? – MANICURE

30D Bearing – MIEN

31D Coup d’__ – ETAT

34D Stumble or fumble – ERROR

37D Vanity pieces – SONGS

38D “Srsly!?” – OMG

39D Roe, e.g. – USA

40D “Raging Bull” Oscar nominee – PESCI

43D Sound check? – EAR

44D Water boy? – SON

47D Olive family shrub – PRIVET

48D Vegan brand owned by Estée Lauder – AVEDA

49D Device on a snowboarder’s helmet, maybe – GOPRO

50D Wall flowers, perhaps – MINTS

51D Pigs – SOWS

53D Miso soup mushroom – ENOKI

54D Ibis kin – EGRET

55D Wanders (about) – GADS

56D Blathers on – YAPS

57D Varieties – ILKS

58D “Oh sure, take their __!” – SIDE

From clever themes to classic clues, today’s crossword is sure to entertain. Check out the hint and answer lists to keep your streak going. Visit us every day for the latest LA Times Crossword hints and solutions—happy solving!