Looking for a fun way to boost your brainpower? The USA TODAY Crossword is your perfect daily fit! This puzzle offers a mix of modern clues and straightforward answers in a compact grid. Whether you’re a pro solver or just starting your crossword journey, we’re here to help you cross the finish line. Below are the clues and solutions for today’s USA TODAY Crossword for November 18, 2025.
USA TODAY Crossword Clues for November 18, 2025
Grab your pencil or device and your sharpest wits! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
1A: Storylines — Starts with the letter “P”
6A: Big hit? — Starts with the letter “T”
11A: ___ out (bring down) — Starts with the letter “B”
14A: Followers of Waheguru — Starts with the letter “S”
15A: Beverage cart’s path — Starts with the letter “A”
16A: Mojo Jojo in “The Powerpuff Girls,” e.g. — Starts with the letter “A”
17A: Certain receipts, perhaps — Starts with the letter “S”
19A: ___ sequitur — Starts with the letter “N”
20A: Sign of joy or sorrow — Starts with the letter “T”
21A: Word after “glass” or “stink” — Starts with the letter “E”
22A: “The Matrix” actor Reeves — Starts with the letter “K”
24A: Dunkable cookie — Starts with the letter “O”
26A: Church song — Starts with the letter “H”
27A: Mufasa’s son — Starts with the letter “S”
30A: Campus near Hollywood — Starts with the letter “U”
33A: Percussive dance — Starts with the letter “T”
35A: “The best of both worlds,” e.g. — Starts with the letter “I”
36A: Churns up — Starts with the letter “R”
38A: Popular cooking spray brand — Starts with the letter “P”
40A: “That topic is off-limits!” — Starts with the letter “D”
43A: Retired QB Manning — Starts with the letter “E”
44A: Sound from a stable — Starts with the letter “N”
45A: Smells really bad — Starts with the letter “R”
46A: Bay Area airport code — Starts with the letter “S”
48A: ASAP, in the OR — Starts with the letter “S”
49A: God with 99 names — Starts with the letter “A”
50A: Result of oxidation — Starts with the letter “R”
52A: Drinks slowly — Starts with the letter “S”
54A: Molly Shannon’s “Never Been Kissed” role — Starts with the letter “A”
56A: Clean Water Act org. — Starts with the letter “E”
57A: Breakfast chain that also serves waffles — Starts with the letter “I”
61A: Fish-and-chips fish, often — Starts with the letter “C”
62A: Bearded lawn decoration — Starts with the letter “G”
66A: Egg___ (seasonal drink) — Starts with the letter “N”
67A: Wise saying — Starts with the letter “A”
68A: “This was no surprise to me” — Starts with the letter “I”
69A: ___ by (just manage) — Starts with the letter “E”
70A: Did some tailoring — Starts with the letter “S”
71A: Stop and Yield — Starts with the letter “S”
Down Clues: ⬇️
1D: Sneaky “Hey!” — Starts with the letter “P”
2D: Hair pests — Starts with the letter “L”
3D: Gumbo vegetable — Starts with the letter “O”
4D: Dance with mechanical movements — Starts with the letter “T”
5D: Opposite of NNW — Starts with the letter “S”
6D: “Gotcha,” in a kid’s game — Starts with the letter “T”
7D: Put on the payroll — Starts with the letter “H”
8D: Women’s soccer powerhouse — Starts with the letter “U”
9D: The Twins play in it — Starts with the letter “M”
10D: Irksome — Starts with the letter “P”
11D: Yellow slapstick prop — Starts with the letter “B”
12D: “When you wish ___ a star . . .” — Starts with the letter “U”
13D: List that may drop down — Starts with the letter “M”
18D: Originally called — Starts with the letter “N”
23D: A real lifesaver, for short — Starts with the letter “E”
25D: Noodle soup that might be “instant” — Starts with the letter “R”
26D: Head light? — Starts with the letter “H”
27D: Mashed potatoes, e.g. — Starts with the letter “S”
28D: People you look up to — Starts with the letter “I”
29D: Compact appliance that keeps drinks cold — Starts with the letter “M”
31D: Line dance? — Starts with the letter “C”
32D: Super-fast rate — Starts with the letter “L”
34D: Heavy coat — Starts with the letter “P”
37D: Purse part — Starts with the letter “S”
39D: Netlike material — Starts with the letter “M”
41D: Garment in a Woody costume — Starts with the letter “V”
42D: Home to the Museum of Finnish Architecture — Starts with the letter “H”
47D: Not safe, in softball — Starts with the letter “O”
51D: Long tales — Starts with the letter “S”
53D: Actor McKellen — Starts with the letter “I”
54D: What a skin care regimen might manage — Starts with the letter “A”
55D: Every ___ and cranny — Starts with the letter “N”
56D: Margin — Starts with the letter “E”
58D: Mong Kok, ___ Kong — Starts with the letter “H”
59D: A black cat crossing your path, e.g. — Starts with the letter “O”
60D: Synagogue seats — Starts with the letter “P”
63D: Suffix for “lemon” — Starts with the letter “A”
64D: Like uncooked fish — Starts with the letter “R”
65D: Brazilian jiujitsu uniforms — Starts with the letter “G”
Finished solving? Check your answers right here below!
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for November 18, 2025
Across Answers: ➡️
1A: Storylines PLOTS
6A: Big hit? – THUMP
11A: ___ out (bring down) – BUM
14A: Followers of Waheguru – SIKHS
15A: Beverage cart’s path – AISLE
16A: Mojo Jojo in “The Powerpuff Girls,” e.g. – APE
17A: Certain receipts, perhaps – SCREENGRABS
19A: ___ sequitur – NON
20A: Sign of joy or sorrow – TEAR
21A: Word after “glass” or “stink” – EYE
22A: “The Matrix” actor Reeves – KEANU
24A: Dunkable cookie – OREO
26A: Church song – HYMN
27A: Mufasa’s son – SIMBA
30A: Campus near Hollywood – UCLA
33A: Percussive dance – TAP
35A: “The best of both worlds,” e.g. – IDIOM
36A: Churns up – ROILS
38A: Popular cooking spray brand – PAM
40A: “That topic is off-limits!” – DONTEVENGOTHERE
43A: Retired QB Manning – ELI
44A: Sound from a stable – NEIGH
45A: Smells really bad – REEKS
46A: Bay Area airport code – SFO
48A: ASAP, in the OR – STAT
49A: God with 99 names – ALLAH
50A: Result of oxidation – RUST
52A: Drinks slowly – SIPS
54A: Molly Shannon’s “Never Been Kissed” role – ANITA
56A: Clean Water Act org. – EPA
57A: Breakfast chain that also serves waffles – IHOP
61A: Fish-and-chips fish, often – COD
62A: Bearded lawn decoration – GARDENGNOME
66A: Egg___ (seasonal drink) – NOG
67A: Wise saying – ADAGE
68A: “This was no surprise to me” – IKNEW
69A: ___ by (just manage) – EKE
70A: Did some tailoring – SEWED
71A: Stop and Yield – SIGNS
Down Answers: ⬇️
1D: Sneaky “Hey!” – PSST
2D: Hair pests – LICE
3D: Gumbo vegetable – OKRA
4D: Dance with mechanical movements – THEROBOT
5D: Opposite of NNW – SSE
6D: “Gotcha,” in a kid’s game – TAGYOUREIT
7D: Put on the payroll – HIRE
8D: Women’s soccer powerhouse – USA
9D: The Twins play in it – MLB
10D: Irksome – PESKY
11D: Yellow slapstick prop – BANANAPEEL
12D: “When you wish ___ a star . . .” – UPON
13D: List that may drop down – MENU
18D: Originally called – NEE
23D: A real lifesaver, for short – EMT
25D: Noodle soup that might be “instant” – RAMEN
26D: Head light? – HALO
27D: Mashed potatoes, e.g. – SIDE
28D: People you look up to – IDOLS
29D: Compact appliance that keeps drinks cold – MINIFRIDGE
31D: Line dance? – CONGA
32D: Super-fast rate – LIGHTSPEED
34D: Heavy coat – PARKA
37D: Purse part – STRAP
39D: Netlike material – MESH
41D: Garment in a Woody costume – VEST
42D: Home to the Museum of Finnish Architecture – HELSINKI
47D: Not safe, in softball – OUT
51D: Long tales – SAGAS
53D: Actor McKellen – IAN
54D: What a skin care regimen might manage – ACNE
55D: Every ___ and cranny – NOOK
56D: Margin – EDGE
58D: Mong Kok, ___ Kong – HONG
59D: A black cat crossing your path, e.g. – OMEN
60D: Synagogue seats – PEWS
63D: Suffix for “lemon” – ADE
64D: Like uncooked fish – RAW
65D: Brazilian jiujitsu uniforms – GIS
How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Crossword? Did you cruise to victory or get briefly stumped?
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Puzzle had a fun and modern feel, with clueing that felt fresh but still fair and approachable. The puzzle moved at a steady pace, offering a few moments that required a pause, but nothing that disrupted the overall flow. It had a good balance of general knowledge, conversational entries, and playful touches, which made the solving experience feel engaging from start to finish. Overall, it was a solid and enjoyable grid, great for a daily mental warm-up. Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5.
You can also check out today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
Playing the USA TODAY Crossword is hassle-free and lightning-fast.
The Goal: The object is to completely fill the small grid with words that correctly answer the “Across” (horizontal) and “Down” (vertical) clues.
The Clues: Use the list of clues provided for each direction.
Word Length: The grid itself guides you on the length of the words. A correct letter in one direction will often give you a helpful starting letter for the intersecting word.
Intersections: Look for those crossing points! Solving an easy “Across” clue can provide key letters that make a tougher “Down” clue suddenly click.
Daily Refresh: A brand new USA TODAY Crossword is released every day, guaranteeing a fresh burst of puzzle fun daily.
Kohinoor, Tech Blog Writer focused on following the latest trends. I'm energised by exploring new frontiers, whether it's through travel, the next major tech breakthrough, or solving a tough puzzle game. I aim to make complex topics accessible and fun for every reader.
