The 5 Secrets Behind Evan Birnholz’s Washington Post Sunday Crossword: A Deep Dive Into The Cruciverbalist’s Genius

The Washington Post Sunday Crossword has become a cornerstone of weekend puzzling, largely thanks to the inventive and often mind-bending work of its chief constructor, Evan Birnholz. As of this current date in December 2025, Birnholz continues to push the boundaries of the medium, delivering high-quality, fresh, and sometimes meta-level challenges that have cemented his status as one of the world's premier cruciverbalists.

His puzzles are not just grids of intersecting words; they are narrative experiences, often weaving complex themes, witty clues, and sometimes even hidden messages that reward the most dedicated solvers. From his themeless masterpieces to his famously intricate themed grids, understanding the man and his methods is key to mastering the Sunday challenge.

Evan Birnholz: A Full Profile and Biography

Evan Birnholz took over one of the most prestigious roles in the world of puzzles, succeeding the legendary Merl Reagle as the Sunday crossword writer for The Washington Post Magazine in 2015. His arrival marked a new era for the beloved weekend tradition.

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• Full Name: Evan Birnholz
• Current Role: Sunday Crossword Writer for The Washington Post Magazine
• Succeeded: The late, great Merl Reagle (started in 2015)
• Education: Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology and biostatistics, Drexel University (Class of '08)
• Residence: Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
• Family: Lives with his wife, Vicki, and his son, Elliot
• Age at Start of WaPo Role: 32 years old (in 2015)
• Notable Affiliations: Has also had puzzles published in The New York Times and is a notable figure at events like the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT)
• Self-Description: A full-time professional crossword constructor, a "cruciverbalist"

The Latest Birnholz Puzzles: December 2025 Updates

Birnholz’s puzzles are known for their timeliness and fresh cultural references, and the end of 2025 has been no exception. His commitment to variety means solvers are never sure what to expect—a deeply thematic grid or a free-flowing themeless challenge. This unpredictability keeps the solving community engaged and constantly on its toes.

The most recent puzzles demonstrate this range perfectly, providing a fresh look at his current construction style:

• December 14, 2025: "Themeless No. 27"

  This puzzle was a prime example of Birnholz’s skill in themeless construction. Themeless grids, while lacking a central theme, are often judged by the quality of their fill and the cleverness of the clues. This particular 126-word puzzle was praised for its free-flowing structure and inventive entries, showcasing a more open, modern style of crossword construction.

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• December 7, 2025: "I'm Thinking of a Number"

  A return to his signature thematic style, this puzzle was reviewed as a brilliant example of a well-executed theme. The titles themselves often provide a subtle hint to the puzzle’s mechanism, a common device in Birnholz’s repertoire that adds an extra layer of difficulty and satisfaction upon completion.

Other recent puzzles from late 2025, which further illustrate his thematic diversity, include "Body Modification," "Bright Spots," and "There's Something in the Water," all of which were featured in The Washington Post.

Evan Birnholz’s Construction Philosophy: 5 Secrets to His Success

What sets Evan Birnholz’s puzzles apart is not just their complexity but the underlying philosophy he applies to every grid. He views the crossword not just as a test of vocabulary, but as a form of storytelling and a playful mental exercise. His unique approach has cultivated a loyal following of solvers who appreciate the depth of his work.

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1. The Art of the Meta-Puzzle and Storytelling

Birnholz is perhaps most famous for his "meta" puzzles—puzzles that contain a hidden message or an extra layer of solution that only becomes apparent after the grid is fully solved. This technique transforms the puzzle from a simple fill-in-the-blanks exercise into a true detective challenge. Puzzles like "In Retrospect" and "World-Building" are excellent examples of his ability to craft a narrative within the 15x15 (or 21x21 for Sunday) grid, making the solving process feel like an unfolding story.

2. The "Captain Obvious" Theme Mechanism

A fan-favorite element of his style is what some solvers call his "Captain Obvious themes." These are themes that repurpose common, everyday phrases in a literal or unexpected way, often leading to a delightful "aha!" moment. This kind of thematic ingenuity avoids stale, repetitive concepts, ensuring that each Sunday crossword feels fresh and unique.

3. Mastering the Themeless Grid

While his themed puzzles grab headlines, his themeless crosswords are equally respected. For these grids, Birnholz focuses on "seed entries"—long, colorful, and inventive phrases that anchor the puzzle. The surrounding fill must then be equally lively, creating a challenging yet satisfying solve that prioritizes contemporary language and pop culture over obscure, archaic crosswordese. His recent "Themeless No. 27" is a testament to this mastery.

4. The Strategic Use of Rebus and Gimmicks

Birnholz is not afraid to use advanced techniques like the rebus, where a single square contains more than one letter, or other clever gimmicks to execute a theme. Puzzles like "Bright Spots" have featured rebus squares, adding a layer of complexity that is both tricky and fair. These elements are always deployed in service of the theme, never just for the sake of difficulty, maintaining a high standard of construction integrity.

5. A Focus on Freshness and Modern Cluing

One of the biggest shifts Birnholz brought to The Washington Post Sunday Crossword, succeeding the traditional style of Merl Reagle, was a commitment to modern language and current events. His clues are witty, often punny, and draw from a wide range of contemporary knowledge, from streaming shows to modern slang. This fresh approach ensures the puzzle remains relevant and engaging to a new generation of solvers while still appealing to veterans of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament circuit.

Tips for Conquering the Evan Birnholz Challenge

Solving an Evan Birnholz Sunday crossword requires a different mindset than tackling a typical daily puzzle. Here are a few tips to help you master his unique style:

• Read the Title Carefully: The puzzle title is often the biggest clue to the theme. For example, a title like "Bywords" or "Inside Out" directly hints at the wordplay or manipulation required for the theme answers.
• Look for the Theme Answers: In a themed puzzle, the longest answers are almost always the theme entries. Solving a few of these will often unlock the underlying mechanism that governs the entire grid.
• Be Ready for Meta: If the puzzle seems too easy or the theme feels incomplete, assume there is a meta-puzzle. Look for patterns, hidden messages, or instructions in the clue numbers or the grid's black squares.
• Embrace Pop Culture: Don't rely solely on old crosswordese. Birnholz’s grids are filled with modern entries, so be prepared for clues related to recent films, music, and internet culture.
• Don't Fear the Rebus: If a theme answer seems to require a word that won't fit, consider a rebus. This is especially true if the puzzle has a particularly dense or unusual theme.

Evan Birnholz has successfully carried the torch for the Sunday puzzle, transforming it into a must-solve weekly event. His dedication to innovative themes, clean fill, and engaging storytelling ensures that The Washington Post Sunday Crossword remains a highlight for puzzle enthusiasts worldwide.