Welcome to your daily crossword boost! Today is December 13, 2025, and the USA Today Crossword delivers another fun challenge to test your vocabulary, trivia, and problem-solving skills. Stuck on a clue? We’ve got today’s hints and answers below to help you finish strong.

Across

1A Like an exam with verbal questions and responses – ORAL

5A Accessory that might be 100% pashmina – SHAWL

10A HIV-prevention drug – PREP

14A Sitarist Shankar – RAVI

15A Opposite of haram – HALAL

16A ___ lamp – HEAT

17A Video game collectible – TOKEN

18A Pleasant smell – AROMA

19A Idyllic place – EDEN

20A Tanzania region known for the Great Migration – SERENGETI

23A Employee badges, e.g. – IDS

24A Rude person – BOOR

25A Type of seed in tahini – SESAME

27A Lock of hair – TRESS

29A Mo. city – STL

32A Grand ___ National Park – TETON

33A Ungraceful person – OAF

35A “While ___ Were Sleeping” (’90s rom-com) – YOU

37A Group of cattle – HERD

38A Like a Swiss Army knife or storage bench – MULTIFUNCTIONAL

41A Nick in a manicure – TEAR

43A Tale of ___ (sob story) – WOE

44A Red Wings’ league – NHL

45A ___ blanche (free rein) – CARTE

47A Deplete – USEUP

49A Unpleasant smells – ODORS

53A Leisurely walk – STROLL

55A Bad thing to be stuck in – RUT

57A Vim – ELAN

58A Image in the “ta-da” emoji – MAGICWAND

62A Drive-___ window – THRU

63A Highlighter colors – NEONS

64A Stood up – ROSE

65A Red veggie in vinegret – BEET

66A Do a jig – DANCE

67A “That makes sense” – AHA

68A Tosses in – ADDS

69A Icy precipitation – SLEET

70A Sloppy debacle – MESS

Down

1D “But how can you be sure?” – ORLY

2D Like a film unsuitable for people under 17 – RATEDR

3D Strongly opposed – ANTI

4D Green citrus fruit often squeezed over tacos – LIME

5D Layered hairstyles – SHAGS

6D Stroke – HIT

7D All the time – ALWAYS

8D “The Amateur” actor Malek – RAMI

9D Tent openings – LAPS

10D Receptionist’s line before Muzak starts – PLEASEHOLD

11D Emits – RADIATES

12D “That’s still not quite enough” – EVENSO

13D Gold miner’s tool – PAN

21D Like someone’s voice when they have a cold, often – NASAL

22D Permit – LET

26D “It’s the ___ of an era” – END

28D Including everything – TOTAL

30D Planning-oriented personality – TYPEA

31D Cindy-___ Who – LOU

34D Post-victory initialism – FTW

36D It keeps coffee hot – THERMOS

38D Reflected – MIRRORED

39D Apple TV Remote platform – TVOS

40D Polaroid output – PHOTO

41D Loops in on an email – TOS

42D Devised, like a plan – EXCUSE

46D Any one of Santa’s helpers – ELF

48D Eric, in “The Little Mermaid” – PRINCE

50D Object to – DECRY

51D Brand of peanut butter cups – REESES

52D Retail therapy sessions – SPREE

54D Loans out – LENDS

56D Unexpected loss – UPSET

59D Blue-green hue – AQUA

60D “Please leave a message after the ___” – BEEP

61D Overly proper – NITID

62D Acronym on an unfinished schedule – TBD

Whether you’re a crossword pro or a casual player, these tips will get you through those tough spots. Remember, solving daily puzzles sharpens your mind—so check back every day for fresh USA Today Crossword hints and solutions to keep your brain engaged and entertained!