NY Times Crossword

December 16, 2025

Jason Reich

 

The phrases below have something in common that is hinted at by the last clue. Can you determine what it is? 

 

1. COVER STORY

2. BAG CHECK

3. FAIR PLAY

4. SMART PHONE

5. Comes at the beginning and end of something

 

Answer to Clue 5:

BOOKENDS

 

Answers to Clues 1-4:

 

The first word of each clue can be prefaced by BOOK, and the second word of each clue can be followed by BOOK:

 

1. BOOK COVER - STORY BOOK

2. BOOK BAG - CHECKBOOK

3. BOOK FAIR - PLAY BOOK

4. BOOK SMART - PHONE BOOK 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SYNONYM/ANAGRAM CCCXVIII 

The two words in each line can be anagrammed into one -beginning with the given letter. The meanings of the anagrams are given below the clues.

 

1. SHIM + IRKS = S 

2. SASH + CITE = C 

3. SEWS + FALL = F 

4. COIL + MUSE = C 

5. NAIL + PEAR = A 

6. RATE + RUSE = T 

7. TILE + SCALE = C

8. CAST + TIGER = S 

9. ROVE + RISER = R 

10. LADY + GREEN = L

11. ACHE + LEMON = C 

12.  PRANCE + TRY = C 

 

Meanings of the anagrams:

1. Fight 

2. Scold, upbraid

3. Perfect

4. Ancient arena

5. 727,737, or 747

6. Thing of great value

7. Heavenly

8. Planned and calculated - as in war

9. A large supply of water or information

10. Iconic

11. Animal known for camouflauge

12. Joseph's profession in the New Testament

 

Answers:

 

1. SKIRMISH

2. CHASTISE

3. FLAWLESS

4. COLISEUM

5. AIRPLANE

6. TREASURE

7. CELESTIAL

8. STRATEGIC

9. RESERVOIR

10. LEGENDARY

11. CHAMELEON

12. CARPENTRY  

 

The answers to the clues below will have something in common.

1. Mercurial

2. Hasty look

3. Stage of the sleep cycle

4. Sixth Amendment guarantee 

5. Where some choose to live, metaphorically

6. Draw a conclusion or make a decision without having all the facts 

 

Answers:

 

1. Quicksilver

2. Fleeting glance  

3. Rapid eye movement

4. Speedy trial

5. In the fast lane 

6. Rush to judgement  

UNUSUAL NAMES

1. Will Power

2. Sue Flay

3. Amanda Lynn

4. Gene Pool

5. Ben Dover

6. Royal Payne

7. Misty Meanor

8. Art Major

9. Paige Turner

10. Al Dente

11. Constance Noring 

 

What do the following items of clothing have in common?

1. Pants

2. Hat

3. Shoe 

4. Shirt

5. Shorts

6. Bathing suit

 

Answer:

 

Each one can be preceded by a place name:

 

1. Capri pants

2. Panama hat

3. Oxford shoe

4. Hawaiian shirt

5. Bermuda shorts

6. Bikini bathing suit  

 

Credit:

Kathy Lowden 

WORD + WORD = NEW WORD XLVIII

Each clue contains the definitions of two words that can be combined to form a third, unrelated word - without any re-arrangement of letters.

1. Swindle + Answer to an addition problem

2. Be victorious + The present time

3. Armed conflict + A cozy room or animal lair

4. Change + Indigenous

5. Medicinal tablet or capsule + Grow older

6. Rustic hotel + Enthusiastic applause

7. Refine or perfect something over time + A pig's digs

8. A necessity + A dull pain

9. An appendage + One on your side

Answers:

1. GYP + SUM = GYPSUM

2. WIN + NOW = WINNOW

3. WAR + DEN = WARDEN

4. ALTER + NATIVE = ALTERNATIVE

5. PILL + AGE = PILLAGE

6. INN + OVATION = INNOVATION

7. HONE + STY = HONESTY

8. MUST + ACHE = MUSTACHE

9. LEG + ALLY = LEGALLY   

NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle

December 14, 2025

Will Shortz (modified)

 

Concealed in each sentence below is the name of a U.S. city, with the letters in correct, consecutive order. 

 

For example: The bodybuilders will be flexing tonight.

                       the bodybuilders will be fLEXING TONight - LEXINGTON

 

The name of the state in which the hidden city is located is given as a hint below the clues - in this case - KENTUCKY.

 

1. Space enthusiasts support landing on Mars in the near future.

 

2. Contact your insurance branch or agent if you have questions.

 

3. The sweaters and coats are on sale from today to next Sunday. 

 

4. The political corruption trial ended in a sudden verdict.

 

5. I bought a shamrock for decorating my house for St. Patrick's Day.

 

6. Today, all the things we thought we knew have now changed.

 

7. Can you help a software developer learn better social skills?

 

HINTS:
States in which the hidden cities are located:

1. Oregon

2. Alaska

3. Ohio

4. Colorado

5. Illinois

6. Connecticut

7. Texas

 

Answers:

 

1. support landing - PORTLAND

2. branch or agent - ANCHORAGE

3. today to next - DAYTON

4. sudden verdict - DENVER

5. shamrock for decorating - ROCKFORD

6. knew have now - NEW HAVEN

7. help a software - EL PASO