Firing up the Washington Post’s daily crossword is a classic ritual, but it can be a real brain-bender. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just getting started, some days the clues (and that tricky theme!) just don’t click. Since the WaPo daily can be tough sometimes, solving it can be quite a challenge. If you’ve found yourself stuck on a few answers, you’ve come to the right guide. Here are hints and answers for today’s Washington Post (LA Times) Daily crossword puzzle.
Note: The Washington Post and the LA Times share the same Daily Crossword every day, so you can play either.
Today’s Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Answers for December 28, 2025
71 Across: Chain known for its Beauty Insider perks – SEPHORA
73 Across: Sits in the sun – TANS
74 Across: Ones who never butter up? – VEGANS
76 Across: Craft few people practice now – LOSTART
77 Across: Wave radio maker – BOSE
78 Across: Thrillingly hot – EROTIC
79 Across: Call alternative – TEXT
80 Across: Only country with a nonrectangular ag – NEPAL
82 Across: Control jointly – COOWN
85 Across: Crepe served with sambar – DOSA
86 Across: “Vive le __!” – ROI
87 Across: Private matter? – BASICTRAINING
90 Across: Utility closet tool – MOP
91 Across: Not on a major label – INDIE
93 Across: Vietnamese New Year – TET
94 Across: “Interstellar” actress Burstyn – ELLEN
95 Across: Liam of One Direction – PAYNE
97 Across: __ together – PIECED
99 Across: Symptoms – SIGNS
101 Across: Moth-repellent wood – CEDAR
103 Across: Recycle bin, e.g. – ICON
105 Across: Pet doc – VET
106 Across: Result of a good pitch – SALE
107 Across: Stack-selling chain – IHOP
111 Across: Sensitive matter? – TOUCHPANEL
115 Across: Grave matter? – BURIALSITE
117 Across: Li with a bent elbow – CURL
118 Across: Unholy things – EVILS
119 Across: Word said with a sigh – ALAS
120 Across: Karate rank indicators – BELTS
121 Across: Distance between markers – MILE
122 Across: Refuse to admit – DENY
123 Across: Mixed-breed dog – MUTT
124 Across: Spot to boop a doggo – SNOOT
Down Answers
1 Down: “Well, hello there” – OHHI
2 Down: House calls? – AYES
3 Down: Mammal that barks and claps – SEAL
4 Down: Play the market – INVEST
5 Down: Blurt out – SAY
6 Down: Pork in a burrito – CARNITAS
7 Down: Roasting pan holder – OVENRACK
8 Down: Partiality – BIAS
9 Down: “Unholy” singer Smith – SAM
10 Down: Respectful reference in court – HERHONOR
11 Down: Sch. whose mascot is a buckeye nut – OSU
12 Down: Cake mix instruction – STIR
13 Down: ese, in Tijuana – ESTOS
14 Down: Smith College graduate – ALUMNA
15 Down: Introductory food for keiki – POI
16 Down: Pipe plastic, for short – PVC
17 Down: “What did I say!?” – SEE
20 Down: Degs. for graphic designers – BFAS
23 Down: Org. in many spy thrillers – CIA
25 Down: Unit of energy – JOULE
28 Down: “Being the Ricardos” role – DESI
31 Down: Key above Caps Lock – TAB
32 Down: “Chores finished!” – ALLDONE
33 Down: Early Boston settlers – PURITANS
35 Down: Gray matter? – HUMANANATOMY
36 Down: Gerontologist’s focus – AGING
37 Down: “Totally agree!,” on social media – THIS
38 Down: Rural businesses – FARMS
39 Down: Word on receipts – AMOUNT
40 Down: Laughing matter? – NITROUSOXIDE
42 Down: Practice depicted in the Japanese film “Flower and Sword” – IKEABANA
44 Down: Mum – SILENT
48 Down: Young lady – LASS
49 Down: DJ’s stack in the 1990s – CDS
50 Down: Decked out – CLAD
53 Down: Sincere – EARNEST
56 Down: Hot-headed deity? – FIREGOD
58 Down: Jumped – LEAPT
60 Down: __-Bismol – PEPTO
62 Down: More tender – SORER
64 Down: Desserts with crushed Oreos – DIRTPIES
65 Down: Natural disinfectant – PINEOIL
67 Down: __ green – FOREST
68 Down: Troublemakers – RASCALS
70 Down: People might sing in it – UNISON
72 Down: Flower, in Japanese – HANA
74 Down: Kind of circle diagram – VENN
75 Down: Garlic __: pungent stalk – SCAPE
76 Down: “Madam Secretary” star – LEONI
77 Down: Diner fave – BLT
79 Down: Voyage – TRIP
81 Down: With true effort – ACTIVELY
83 Down: Diamond size – ONECARAT
84 Down: Menu with reds and whites – WINELIST
87 Down: Tree with a “copper” variety – BEECH
88 Down: Payment for a flat – RENT
89 Down: Stat on a transcript – GPA
92 Down: Frozen spike – ICICLE
96 Down: Up and about – ARISEN
98 Down: Sussed (out) – DOPED
100 Down: Some toothpastes – GELS
102 Down: “Narcos” org. – DEA
104 Down: Cathedral part – NAVE
106 Down: Enterprise navigator – SULU
108 Down: County seat of Hawaii County – HILO
109 Down: “Beetle Bailey” dog – OTTO
110 Down: Irksome insect – PEST
111 Down: Old lm channel – TCM
112 Down: “Okay by moi” – OUI
113 Down: Address with slashes – URL
114 Down: “Delta of Venus” author – NIN
115 Down: “Pow!” – BAM
116 Down: Abbr. on barbells – LBS
Click to reveal the solved crossword image
Today’s Washington Post crossword leaned into a lively, packed grid that kept things moving almost nonstop. The fill felt modern and energetic, with lots of short entries that made the puzzle feel breezy even when the crossings got a little dense. Cluing stayed mostly fair and readable, though a few spots leaned more on recognition than wordplay, which slightly dulled the challenge. Still, the overall vibe was fun and solver friendly, the kind of puzzle that feels satisfying rather than draining. Solid daily offering, I’d put it at a 3.5 out of 5.
You can also checkout today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
A part-time gamer and a full-time Tech Writer. Abeer is a tech enthusiast who keeps track of all the trending gadgets and smartphones. When he isn't busy smashing words with his keyboard, you can find him playing the latest PC Games or binge-watching TV Shows.
