The New York Times Spelling Bee for 19 December 2025 challenges players with the center letter V and the surrounding hive letters P, I, A, L, T, and E. Each word must include V and be at least four letters long. With this combination, the puzzle felt moderately tricky, offering both common words and some unusual finds for keen solvers.

About today’s puzzle

Today’s puzzle revolves around the center letter V, paired with a mostly consonant-heavy set including P, L, and T, alongside vowels A, I, and E. The letters feel fairly open, allowing for several common words, though the presence of V pushes players to think creatively. The combination encourages spotting words with prefixes, suffixes, and variations on familiar roots.

Words and answers: 19 December 2025

Here’s a best-effort list of words that fit today’s rules. Keep in mind: some are rare or unusual, so the official NYT list may vary.

  • pave
  • vital
  • vial
  • live
  • evil
  • vale
  • lave
  • late
  • tile
  • vie
  • vitalize
  • pivotal

Pangram of the day

The pangram for 19 December 2025 is Palliative. This word uses all seven hive letters with V at the center, meeting the Spelling Bee’s rules. “Palliative” is often used to describe measures or treatments that relieve symptoms without addressing the root cause, making it a rich and satisfying word choice for today’s puzzle. Finding it requires spotting the right combinations of vowels and consonants and thinking beyond the most obvious options.

Quick tactics for any puzzle

  • Start with the center letter to anchor your word-building.
  • Play with common prefixes and suffixes like -ive or -ate.
  • Anagram your discoveries to see hidden possibilities.
  • Don’t forget repeated letters; they often unlock longer words.
  • Begin with easy 4-letter words to gain momentum.

Final thoughts

Today’s hive offered a rewarding mix of common and challenging words. Players might spot a dozen or more, while the pangram “palliative” adds an extra twist. How many did you find today?