Our guide to the NYT Crossword answers for December 20, 2024, is here to assist you in solving today’s puzzle if you find yourself stuck on a clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily puzzle that challenges solvers’ knowledge and vocabulary. Renowned for its tough clues and clever wordplay, it’s one of the most popular crosswords worldwide. It’s available both in the print edition of The New York Times and online.
NYT Crossword Answers for December 20, 2024
If you need help with the NYT Crossword on December 20, 2024, we’ve listed all the clues below to help you find the answers you need. You can search for a specific clue and select the answer, so if you’re only looking for a few solutions, you won’t spoil any others you’re working on!
1A: Abbr. in a scholarly paper NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Scholarly (adjective) Characteristics of scholars or scholarship.
Answer:
Hint 2: Paper (noun)
- The physical item produced by a newspaper publisher.
- An essay, particularly one written as part of an assignment.
5A: Places with scrubs and masks NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Scrubs (noun) A protective garment worn by surgeons during surgeries.
Answer:
Hint 2: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer.
ASPS
9A: Acquire, informally NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A written version of a musical composition, with parts for different instruments displayed on separate staves across large pages.
- A grievance strong enough to warrant retaliation.
Answer:
Hint 2: (verb)
- Earn points in a game.
- Assign a grade or rank based on one’s assessment.
14A: Common motifs in high art? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Common (noun) A plot of open land for recreational purposes in an urban area.
Answer:
Hint 2: Common (adjective)
- Shared by two or more parties.
- Characteristic of or suitable for everyday language.
17A: Major success stories in the entrepreneurial world NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Entrepreneurial (adjective) Ready to take risks to achieve a profit.
Answer:
Hint 2: Success (noun)
- A person with a history of achievements.
- A successful accomplishment.
18A: Goddess often depicted clothed in green NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) In Greek mythology, the goddess of the earth and the mother of Cronus and the Titans.
Answer:
Hint 2: Clothed (adjective)
- Covered as if with clothes, a wrap, or a cloak.
- Wearing or equipped with clothing, often used in combination.
19A: Triumph NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (verb)
- Achieve success or reach a desired goal.
- Obtain something through one’s efforts.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun)
- Something earned, especially money.
- A victory, such as in a race or competition.
20A: Barn greeting NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (verb) Make a low sound, characteristic of bovines.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun) The noise made by a cow or bull.
21A: #1 overall, say NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Overall (noun)
- A loose-fitting protective coverall or smock worn over regular clothing for dirty work.
- (Usually plural) Work clothing made of denim trousers, typically with a bib and shoulder straps.
Answer:
Hint 2: Overall (adjective)
- Including all aspects.
- Involving only the main features.
26A: One of three in “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (verb)
- Pretend to possess certain qualities or state of mind.
- Act in an artificial or exaggerated manner.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun)
- An action that people take or bring about.
- A legal document that formalises the outcome of discussions by a committee, society, or legislative body.
29A: 2023 film in which Michael Jordan is only shown from behind NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (verb)
- Expose to fresh air.
- Expose to cool or cold air in order to refresh or chill.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun)
- The layer of air surrounding the Earth.
- Travel by aircraft.
30A: Check mark alternatives NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Mark (verb)
- Commemorate through a ceremony or observance.
- Insert punctuation marks into.
Answer:
Hint 2: Mark (noun)
- A mark of disgrace or shame.
- A visible sign made on a surface.
32A: Symbol of America’s first transcontinental railroad NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Transcontinental (adjective) Extending across or beyond a continent.
Answer:
Hint 2: Railroad (noun)
- A company responsible for managing a transportation system for trains carrying passengers or freight.
- A track providing a path for wheels to run on.
38A: Veins, e.g. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) Solidified substances formed from natural processes.
Answer:
40A: Harsh sentences? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Harsh (adjective)
- Uncomfortably severe in manner.
- Having a coarse texture or made up of relatively large particles.
Answer:
41A: Mens ___ NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer:
ARE
Answer:
42: Pablo Neruda wrote one “to a large tuna in the market” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) A lyric poem with intricate stanza structures.
Answer:
Hint 2: Market (noun)
- An area in a town where a public commercial establishment is situated.
- A marketplace where groceries are sold.
43A: Where to watch the cubs NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- The dwelling of wild animals.
- A secluded refuge, often used by outlaws.
Answer:
Hint 2: Watch (noun)
- A person assigned to monitor an expected event.
- A deliberate observation to protect or watch.
44A: Young and inexperienced, so to speak NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Inexperienced (adjective) Without practical experience or training.
Answer:
Hint 2: Speak (verb)
- Share ideas; converse with.
- Communicate using language.
49A: Egg __ yung NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Egg (noun)
- The oval reproductive body of a bird (especially a hen) consumed as food.
- One of the two male reproductive organs that produce sperm and secrete androgens.
Answer:
Hint 2: Egg (verb)
- Cover with beaten egg.
- Hurl eggs at.
52A: Subject of 199 silkscreen paintings by Warhol NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- The Chinese Communist leader, born in 1893 and passing in 1976.
- An enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of several body compounds, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Answer:
Hint 2: Silkscreen (noun) A print created using a stencil process, where an image or design is placed on a fine mesh screen, and printing ink is forced onto the surface through the uncovered areas of the screen.
53A: Softballs NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer:
SLOB
Answer:
56A: “Sorry, those secrets are *beyond* classified” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Classified (noun) A brief advertisement in a newspaper or magazine, typically in small print and appearing alongside other similar ads.
Answer:
Hint 2: Classified (adjective)
- Organised into categories.
- Official categorisation of information or documents, restricted from public access.
62A: Refuse to sign one’s work, say NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Work (verb)
- Ensure consistency.
- Function as intended when implemented.
Answer:
Hint 2: Work (noun)
- Engaging the mind in learning and comprehending a subject (particularly through reading).
- The profession for which you receive payment.
63A: Like the ruins in Tulum NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A group of Native American languages spoken by the Maya people.
- A member of the Maya people from Yucatán, Belize, and Guatemala, known for their advanced culture, which flourished between AD 300 and 900, and was distinguished by remarkable achievements in architecture, pottery, and astronomy.
Answer:
Hint 2: Like (verb)
- Desire or choose to do something.
- Have an opinion or attitude towards; assess, judge, or view.
64A: It comes straight from the horse’s mouth NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (verb)
- Halt or restrain by pulling on the reins.
- Guide and manage with or as if by reins.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun)
- Any method of control.
- One of a pair of long straps (typically attached to the bit or headpiece) used to direct a horse.
65A: Willing partner NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (adjective)
- Maintaining a strong and healthy body.
- Acquiring the skills and qualifications to perform tasks efficiently.
Answer:
Hint 2: Partner (noun)
- A person’s spouse in marriage.
- A collaborator in an activity, endeavour, or area of shared interest.
1D: Rhea’s relative NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- Various systems of units used for measuring electricity and magnetism.
- A large Australian flightless bird, similar to the ostrich but smaller.
Answer:
Hint 2: Relative (noun)
- An animal or plant that is connected to another through common descent or membership in the same genus.
- A person who is connected by blood or marriage.
2D: Sharpness NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A common type of rockweed used in the preparation of kelp and as fertilizer.
- It has a tart, spicy flavour.
Answer:
Hint 2: Sharpness (noun)
- The characteristic of urgency in one’s tone of voice.
- The quality of being sharp and precise.
3D: Performance that might elicit a “Brava!” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) A complex composition for solo voice.
Answer:
Hint 2: Performance (noun)
- A theatrical or musical performance.
- The process or method of functioning or operating.
4D: Allowed NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (adjective) Official, approved by, or in compliance with the law.
Answer:
Hint 2: Answers used in the past:
- LET (3 letters)
- KOSHER (6 letters)
- OKD (3 letters)
5D: Lead-in to pass NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) A port in southern Lebanon on the Mediterranean Sea, once a prominent Phoenician seaport known for its silks.
Answer:
Hint 2: Lead-in (noun)
- The opening section of a story.
- A wire linking an antenna to a receiver or a transmitter to a transmission line.
6D: Certain film shot, or film reaction NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A cooking utensil consisting of a broad metal vessel.
- In Greek mythology, the god of fields, woods, shepherds, and flocks, depicted as a man with goat’s legs, horns, and ears; associated with the Roman gods Sylvanus or Faunus.
Answer:
Hint 2: (verb)
- Completely condemn.
- Pan to wash dirt and extract valuable minerals.
7D: Had carte blanche NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Carte (noun) A menu of dishes offered at a restaurant.
Answer:
8D: French composer who influenced Ravel and Debussy NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) A French composer known for his experimentalism and rejection of Romanticism (1866-1925).
Answer:
Hint 2: Composer (noun) A professional music composer.
9D: Spanish 101 verb NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Spanish (noun)
- The citizens of Spain.
- The Romance language is spoken throughout most of Spain and in the countries colonised by Spain.
Answer:
Hint 2: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer:
ERS
10D: Garfield for one NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A large tracked machine powered by two continuous metal belts, commonly used for earth-moving tasks in construction and agriculture.
- A feline mammal typically characterised by thick, soft fur and an inability to roar; includes domestic cats and wildcats.
Answer:
Hint 2: (verb)
- Forcefully expel the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
- Strike with a cat-o’-nine-tails.
11D: Largest cell in the human body NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) The female reproductive cell, also known as the female gamete.
Answer:
Hint 2: Human (noun) Any living or extinct member of the Hominidae family, distinguished by advanced intelligence, the ability to speak articulately, and an upright posture.
12D: Certain seizure NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Seizure (noun)
- A sudden onset (or reappearance) of a disease
- The act of forcibly abducting a person
Answer:
Hint 2: Certain (adjective)
- Certain and unhesitant; self-assured and confident
- Guaranteed to happen; fated or unavoidable
13D: Aptly named descendant of Standard Oil NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Descendant (noun) A person regarded as being descended from a particular ancestor
Answer:
Hint 2: Descendant (adjective)
- Derived from an ancestor
- Moving or descending downward
15D: John, in Portuguese NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Portuguese (adjective) Pertaining to Portugal, its people, or their language.
Answer:
Hint 2: Portuguese (noun)
- A native or resident of Portugal.
- The Romance language spoken in Portugal and Brazil.
16D: Sighting from the crow’s nest NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- The material in the top layer of the Earth’s surface in which plants can grow, especially concerning its quality or use.
- The area of land occupied by a nation.
Answer:
Hint 2: (verb)
- Arrive at or come to a stop.
- Transform into a different state.
22D: Micronesian nation NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A chain of more than 200 islands, extending about 400 miles in the western central Pacific Ocean.
- A republic in the western central Pacific Ocean, in association with the United States.
Answer:
Hint 2: Nation (noun)
- A group of people politically organized under a single government.
- The individuals who reside in a nation or country.
23D: Move like a crab NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (verb)
- Move discreetly.
- Move stealthily.
Answer:
Hint 2: Move (verb)
- Provide a motivation for action.
- Be actively engaged.
24D: M.L.B. team that once drafted Tom Brady NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Brady (noun)
- The American pioneering photographer, renowned for his portraits, served as the official Union photographer during the American Civil War (1823-1896).
- The American financier, famous for his passion for diamonds and lavish lifestyle, lived from 1856 to 1917.
Answer:
Hint 2: Team (verb) Form a team.
25D: Many a founding father, religiously NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (adjective) Pertaining to deism, a philosophy that posits God created the universe and then left it to operate without further intervention.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun) A person who believes that God created the universe and subsequently abandoned it.
26D: Place to take notes NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A self-service machine (commonly found outside banks) that dispenses money when a personal coded card is used.
- A high-speed digital communication system capable of transmitting images, voice, video, and data.
Answer:
Hint 2: Take (noun)
- The income or profit generated from transactions such as the sale of land or other property.
- The process of capturing a scene or portion of a scene in a single, uninterrupted photograph.
27D: I.O.U. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- The check at a restaurant.
- A derogatory term for a girl who is considered immature or disrespectful.
Answer:
Hint 2: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer:
ITCH
28D: Lin-Manuel Miranda, vocally NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- The overall meaning or essence of a statement.
- The adult male singing voice that is higher than baritone.
Answer:
Hint 2: (adjective)
- (Of a musical instrument) falling between alto and baritone or bass in range.
- Relating to or within the range of the highest natural adult male voice.
31D: Came down after getting lifted up? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Lifted (adjective) Lifted into the air.
Answer:
Hint 2: Getting (noun) The process of obtaining something.
33D: Pool contents? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Contents (noun)
- A list of sections (such as chapters or articles) and the pages where they begin.
- (Usually plural) all items contained in a collection or included within something.
Answer:
Hint 2: Pool (noun)
- A substance resembling a pool of liquid.
- A group of companies formed for a specific purpose.
34D: Lymph node, e.g. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A wind instrument that produces sound through pipes arranged in sets, supplied with air from a bellows and controlled by a large, intricate musical keyboard.
- In music, an electronic imitation of a pipe organ.
Answer:
Hint 2: Lymph (noun) A thin, coagulable fluid similar to plasma, but containing white blood cells (lymphocytes) and chyle; it is transported to the bloodstream via lymphatic vessels.
35D: Hairstyle change NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Change (verb)
- Set aside, forsake, or defer to another.
- Prompt a change, alter, or bring about a transformation.
Answer:
Hint 2: Hairstyle (noun) The styling or arrangement of hair, particularly a woman’s.
36D: Masters of disguise NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Disguise (noun)
- The act of disguising the identity of something by altering its appearance.
- An outward appearance that misleads the true nature of something.
Answer:
Hint 2: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer:
SIPES
37D: French 101 verb NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: 101 (adjective) Exceeding one hundred by one.
Answer:
Hint 2: French (noun)
- The citizens of France.
- A sculptor from the United States, known for creating the seated marble statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. (1850-1931).
39D: Fig. that’s often redacted NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Often (adverb)
- Often or in large amounts.
- Repeatedly at brief intervals.
Answer:
45D: The sun emerging from the clouds at exactly the right time, say NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun) A signal of something impending.
Answer:
Hint 2: (verb) To suggest or signal, like a sign or omen.
46D: Member of the Golden Horde NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (noun)
- A member of the Mongolian people from Central Asia who invaded Russia in the 13th century.
- A member of the Turkic-speaking group residing between the Volga and Ural Mountains (the term has been applied to various other groups).
Answer:
Hint 2: Golden (adjective)
- Indicating or likely to bring good fortune or a positive result.
- Characterised by peace and prosperity.
47D: 2024 M.L.B. All-Star ___ De La Cruz NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Star (verb)
- Highlight with an asterisk.
- Play the leading role in a performance.
Answer:
Hint 2: Star (noun)
- A star-shaped symbol (*) used in printing.
- The network topology where components are connected to a central hub.
48D: Dish whose name is Turkish for “stuffed” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Stuffed (adjective)
- Stuffed with food.
- Filled with something.
Answer:
Hint 2: Turkish (noun) A Turkic language spoken by the Turkish people.
49D: Like some handshakes and mattresses NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (adjective)
- Not prone to change or especially to decline.
- Steadfast in loyalty to a friend, vow, or cause.
Answer:
Hint 2: (noun) The individuals in a business organization who own or manage one or more establishments.
50D: Ancient music halls NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Music (noun)
- Consequences for one’s actions.
- Any pleasant or harmonious sounds.
Answer:
Hint 2: Ancient (noun)
- An elderly person.
- A person who lived in ancient times.
