Puzzle solutions for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.

CROSSWORDS

USA TODAY crossword

Play the USA TODAY Crossword Puzzle.

Los Angeles Times crossword

Today's crossword (McMeel)

Daily Commuter crossword

SUDOKU

Play the USA TODAY Sudoku Game.

JUMBLE

Jumble: IRONY      UPEND      BUTTER      JARGON      

Answer: They'd been driving for hours, so when they saw the motel, they were − READY TO TURN IN

(Distributed by Tribune Content Agency)

CRYPTOGRAPHY PUZZLES

Celebrity Cipher

"He's making a list / And checking it twice ... Santa Claus is coming to town." − John F. Coots/Haven Gillespie

(Distributed by Andrews McMeel)

Cryptoquote

HEART IS WHAT SEPARATES THE GOOD FROM THE GREAT. − MICHAEL JORDAN

(Distributed by King Features)

Cryptoquip

IF A BABY SHEEP NEEDS TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, SHOULD SOMEBODY FIRST CALL A LAMB-ULANCE?

(Distributed by King Features)

OTHER PUZZLES

Boggle

ACE      SET      GAME      SERVE      MATCH      RACKET

(Distributed by Tribune Content Agency)

Lexigo

DODGE, EAGER, REGION, NEEDLE, ELDERS

(Distributed by Andrews McMeel)

KenKen

Scrabblegrams

7 Little Words

1. SHAPES
2. MAHOGANEY
3. LIKEWISE
4. INSURES
5. VENTI
6. ETCETERA
7. RAPUNZEL

(Distributed by Andrews McMeel)

Find the Words

Probably a dying skill

(Distributed by Creators Syndicate)

Kubok