Happy December 12, 2025! The USA Today Crossword offers a fun daily challenge that tests your vocabulary and problem-solving skills. Below, you’ll find today’s helpful hints and complete answers to guide you through each clue. Whether you’re stuck on a tricky spot or looking to finish strong, we’ve got you covered.

Across

1A Formula One vehicle – RACE CAR

4A One of the Three Bears – MAMA

8A Future raisin, perhaps – GRAPE

13A Smell – ODOR

15A Reunion attendee, for short – ALUM

16A Not as high up – LOWER

17A Persuade – URGE

18A Get the fewest points in Exhibition: 20th Century, say – LOSE

19A Performance at The Met – OPERA

20A Crafted in a caring way – HANDMADE

23A Like many Gaelic speakers – IRISH

24A Intense anger – RAGE

25A “No ___!” (“I can’t believe that!”) – WAY

28A Cowboys wide receiver ___Dee Lamb – CEE

29A Muppet drummer – ANIMAL

33A Donate – GIVE

34A Early video game console – ATARI

35A Main arteries – AORTAS

37A Hard-to-please performers – DIVAS

39A Bitter conflict – WAR

41A “Alas . . .” – SAD

42A Obey – HEED

43A Part of a sleeve, perhaps? – CUFF

45A ___ the line – ACROSS

48A Sound from a small dog – YAP

49A Word after “laughing” or “ideal” – STOCK

50A Treat for a chipmunk – NUT

52A Traveling remote worker – NOMAD

56A Got up – ROSE

59A 19-Across solo – ARIA

60A Alliance headquartered in Brussels – NATO

61A Crossed one’s fingers – HOPED

62A Some “The Sound of Music” characters – NUNS

63A Pack away – STOW

64A Sweepstakes submission – ENTRY

65A “Late Night” host Meyers – SETH

66A Workplaces for some surgical RNs – ORS

Down

1D ___ dust (particles that might be intergalactic) – STAR

2D Source of some pop-ups – ADWARE

3D Touring band’s assistant – CREW

4D Timbuktu’s country – MALI

5D Tons – ALOT

6D Command to a team of sled dogs – MUSH

7D Children’s book character ___ Bedelia – AMELIA

8D Fielder’s equipment – GLOVE

9D Feel free to skip it! – OPTIONAL

10D Flabbergasted feeling – AWE

11D The “p” in mph – PER

12D Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl,” e.g. – ERA

14D Some bakery loaves – RYES

21D “Let’s suppose that . . .” – ASSUME

22D City near EPCOT – ORLANDO

25D Match ___ (engage in a battle of the minds) – WITS

26D “Abbot Elementary” principal Coleman – AVA

27D “Agreed” – YES

30D Sticky label at many conventions – IDTAG

31D Roth ___ – IRA

32D Central point – NUCLEUS

33D Cloudy sky’s color – GREY

34D Very dry – ARID

36D Like a checked-out library book – TAKEN

37D Get ready to cook – DICE

38D Muffin variety – CORN

39D Bashful – WARY

40D Bigelow product – TEA

44D South Koreans and Kazakhs – ASIANS

45D Bruschetta ingredient – CAPER

46D Public speaker – ORATOR

47D Provides funds for – SPONSORS

49D Euphoric – SOT

51D Scams – CONS

52D Suffix for “evil” – NESS

53D Opposite of false – TRUE

54D “You ___ seen nothin’ yet” – AINT

55D Mascara target – LASH

56D ___/her pronouns – SHE

57D 2,000-pound unit – TON

58D Choose – OPT

Remember, crossword puzzles are a great way to keep your mind sharp and entertained. Check back each day for more fresh clues, solutions, and crossword tips to help you conquer every USA Today Crossword!