The New York Times Spelling Bee for December 4, 2025 is built around the center letter D and asks players to make words of at least four letters that include that center. Today’s mix pairs an uncommon X with useful vowels A and E and solid consonants L, T, Y — a tricky but rewarding set that teases longer discoveries.

About today’s puzzle

The hive centers on D, with an unusual blend: the rare X plus vowels A and E, and consonants L, T, Y. That X makes some common routes unavailable, but the two vowels and flexible letters keep the puzzle feeling open enough for varied word lengths rather than strictly restrictive.

NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: 4 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.

  • deal
  • dealed
  • dealt
  • dated
  • deadly
  • datedly (rare)
  • delay
  • delayed
  • delate
  • delta
  • laded
  • lead
  • leaded
  • elated
  • exalted
  • taxed
  • dyed
  • dally

Pangram of the day

Exaltedly is today’s pangram: it contains every hive letter (E, X, A, L, T, E, D, plus the Y) while including the required center letter D. It works because it strings together familiar morphemes — exalted + -ly — producing an adverb that uses the challenging X and the Y to cover the full letter set. Finding it is satisfying because the X forces you away from obvious vowel-only combos and toward a rarer, high-value word.

Quick tactics for any puzzle

  • Start with the center letter
  • Play with prefixes and suffixes
  • Anagram your discoveries
  • Use repeated letters
  • Begin with easy 4-letter words

Final thoughts

This hive rewarded patience: the X adds spice, the vowels open paths, and the center D anchors everything. Tell me how many words you found — and did you spot exaltedly on your own?