The Guardian Quick Crossword is the perfect daily dose of wordplay! Unlike its notoriously difficult Cryptic sibling, the Quick Crossword is definition-based and highly accessible, offering a snappy, satisfying challenge that’s great for a coffee break or a morning commute. We know how addictive this daily puzzle can be, so to help you out (or just confirm your brilliant solves!), here are the answers for today’s Guardian Quick Crossword for December 4, 2025 (Puzzle No. 17,342).
Today’s Guardian Quick Crossword Clues for December 4, 2025
Turn on your thinking mode! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
- 5 Across: High-handed attitude (9) – Starts with “A“
- 8 Across: ___ or that (4) – Starts with “T“
- 9 Across: Widespread outbreak of disease (8) – Starts with “P“
- 10 Across: Under the influence of drugs (6) – Starts with “S“
- 11 Across: Food for bees and butterflies (6) – Starts with “N“
- 13 Across: Priest (6) – Starts with “C“
- 15 Across: Logic-based puzzle (6) – Crete taxi (anag) (9) – or surgeon? (6) – Starts with “S“
- 16 Across: It’s used to calculate the height of mountains (3-5) – Starts with “S“
- 18 Across: Advance (money) (4) – Starts with “L“
- 19 Across: One may be laughing – or sleeping? (9) – Starts with “P“
Down Clues: ⬇️
- 1 Down: One’s not at liberty (8) – Starts with “P“
- 2 Down: Sluggish (6) – Starts with “T“
- 3 Down: It makes tea bitter (6) – Starts with “T“
- 4 Down: Experience longing – or pain (4) – Starts with “A“
- 6 Down: Untruths designed to spare people’s feelings (5,4) – Starts with “W“
- 7 Down: Commandeering a vehicle (9) – Starts with “H“
- 12 Down: US luxury car (8) – medic (9) – Starts with “C“
- 14 Down: Give way (4,2) – Starts with “C“
- 15 Down: Crisps, cod or caramel? (6) – Starts with “S“
- 17 Down: Pilot’s circuit (4) – or laughter (4) – Starts with “L“
Got all your guesses in? Let’s see how you did below!
Today’s Guardian Quick Crossword Answers for December 4, 2025
Let’s dive into the answers for the Guardian Quick Crossword for today.
Across Answers: ➡️
- 5 Across: High-handed attitude (9) – ARROGANCE
- 8 Across: ___ or that (4) – THIS
- 9 Across: Widespread outbreak of disease (8) – PANDEMIC
- 10 Across: Under the influence of drugs (6) – STONED
- 11 Across: Food for bees and butterflies (6) – NECTAR
- 13 Across: Priest (6) – CLERIC
- 15 Across: Logic-based puzzle (6) – SUDOKU
- 16 Across: It’s used to calculate the height of mountains (3-5) – SEALEVEL
- 18 Across: Advance (money) (4) – LEND
- 19 Across: One may be laughing – or sleeping? (9) – POLICEMAN
Down Answers: ⬇️
- 1 Down: One’s not at liberty (8) – PRISONER
- 2 Down: Sluggish (6) – TORPID
- 3 Down: It makes tea bitter (6) – TANNIN
- 4 Down: Experience longing – or pain (4) – ACHE
- 6 Down: Untruths designed to spare people’s feelings (5,4) – WHITELIES
- 7 Down: Commandeering a vehicle (9) – HIJACKING
- 12 Down: US luxury car (8) – medic (9) – CADILLAC
- 14 Down: Give way (4,2) – CAVEIN
- 15 Down: Crisps, cod or caramel? (6) – SALTED
- 17 Down: Pilot’s circuit (4) – or laughter (4) – LOOP
What do you think of today’s Guardian Quick Crossword puzzle? Were you able to guess all the answers?
The puzzle moved efficiently, featuring key vocabulary such as the word for a High-handed attitude and the specific term for a Widespread outbreak of disease. The longer Down answers were equally strong, notably the words for Untruths designed to spare people’s feelings and the definition for Commandeering a vehicle. Clues touching on everyday items, specific facts, and common associations provided consistent variety. Overall, the accessible nature of the clues made for a quick and rewarding solve. I’d rate the difficulty a comfortable 3.5 out of 5.
You can also check out today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
- NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Hints and Answers
- LA Times Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post Mini Meta Crossword
- Boston Globe Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers
- The New Yorker Crossword Answers
- The New Yorker Mini Crossword Answers
How to Play The Guardian Quick Crossword
Playing The Guardian Quick Crossword is simple, making it a great daily habit.
- The Goal: Fill in the full 15×15 grid with words that fit the clues, both Across and Down.
- The Clues: Unlike the main Cryptic puzzle, these clues are direct definitions or synonyms of the answer word. The number in parentheses at the end of the clue tells you the exact number of letters in the answer.
- The Grid Size: This is a full-sized crossword, meaning the words are longer than those in the Mini, giving you a substantial but still manageable puzzle.
- Intersections: The key to solving is using the intersecting letters. A letter you fill in for an “Across” word must also be the correct starting or middle letter for a “Down” word, and vice versa. This cross-referencing is your greatest solving tool.
- Daily Refresh: The puzzle refreshes daily on The Guardian’s website, so there’s always a new puzzle waiting.
