Happy December 16, 2025! Ready to tackle today’s USA Today Crossword? This daily puzzle challenges your vocabulary, spelling, and general knowledge in a fun way. If you’re stuck, you’ll find all the clues and answers for today’s crossword right here to help you finish strong. Scroll below for the hints and solutions you need.

Across

1A Hoppy craft beers – IPAS

5A Cinderella’s little helpers – MICE

9A Like honey straight from the hive – RAW

12A Extend a membership, say – RENEW

13A Succulent that dies after blooming – AGAVE

15A Herb with gray-green leaves – SAGE

16A Teeny bit – IOTA

17A Prefix for “com” or “net” – INTER

18A Totally nailed – ACED

19A Layered dessert with cake, cream and fruit – TRIFLE

22A Tree on North Dakota’s state seal – ELM

23A Governor’s override – VETO

24A Puts into office – ELECTS

27A Smell or taste – SENSE

29A Organ with a lid – THYMUS

31A Nebraska city west of Council Bluffs – OMAHA

32A Buffet table dispenser – URN

34A Attorney’s expertise – LAW

36A Color of gochutgaru – RED

37A Concrete tasks to get done – ACTIONITEMS

41A “Go no further!” – STOP

43A Toothpaste topper – CAP

44A Distinct stretch of time – ERA

45A Opposed to – AGIN

46A Messes up – ERRS

48A Docs that might be e-signed – FORMS

51A Brownstone sitting areas – STOOP

53A Sci-fi transport – SPACESHIP

55A ___ Speedwagon – REO

57A “I hate to quibble, but . . .” – ALAS

61A Classic sagas in poetry – EPICS

64A Casino calculations – ODDS

65A Brainchild of a thinker – IDEA

66A Fish with a brook variety – TROUT

67A Bearded barnyard animal – GOAT

68A Noblewoman’s title – DAME

69A Insurgent takeovers – COUPS

70A Greek god of war – ARES

71A Strong drain cleaners – LYES

Down

1D Colored eye parts – IRISES

2D The “P” in PETA – PEOPLE

3D Common harvest season – AUTUMN

4D Flood with emails – SPAM

5D State known for lobster rolls – MAINE

6D Set on fire – IGNITE

7D Plaything in a meowbox – CATTOY

8D At any point – EVER

9D Vehicles that make pit stops – RACE CARS

10D 90, for a new nonagenarian – AGE

11D Get hitched – WED

14D Great Lake linked to the Welland Canal – ERIE

15D Oregon State Fair city – SALEM

20D In-your-face – BLATANT

21D Earthenware container for blooms – FLOWERPOT

25D Off ___ charts – THE

26D Feeling gloomy – SAD

28D Part of an octopus tentacle – SUCKER

30D Actor Goree – LYRIQ

33D Most pleasant – NICEST

35D Dug into some pierogi, say – ATE

37D Vocal range below soprano – ALTO

38D Crew team blade – OAR

39D “Planet Money” network – NPR

40D Irate – MAD

41D “She ___ a point” – HAS

42D Hill-building insect – ANT

47D Ice cream dessert – SUNDAE

49D End of the workweek, for some – FRI

50D Formally withdraw – RECANT

52D Uploads to social media – POSTS

54D They might be pumped after wins – FISTS

56D Signs off on – OKS

58D Ancient Roman garment – TOGA

59D Horrible smell – STINK

60D Softgel or tablet – PILL

61D “I could go on” – ETC

62D No amateur – PRO

63D Promise-to-pay note – IOU

Don’t forget, we update daily, so bookmark this page and check back every day for fresh USA Today Crossword hints and answers! Happy solving!