USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 21, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues79
Across38
Down41
DayFriday
Today’s USA Today Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
1A
Lessen gradually (5)
Starts with A, ends with EABATE→
6A
Monumental (4)
Starts with E, ends with CEPIC→
10A
Flaky rock (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMICA→
14A
Take a load off (5)
Starts with R, ends with XRELAX→
15A
"Rubber duckie, you're the one / You make ___time lots of fun" (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBATH→
16A
Type of exam (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
17A
Top-tier (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELITE→
18A
Fairy tale beginning (4)
Starts with O, ends with EONCE→
19A
August 20, e.g. (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDATE→
20A
"To catch them is my real test / To train them is my cause" song (12)
Starts with P, ends with EPOKEMONTHEME→
23A
Amazement (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAWE→
24A
Ask nosy questions (3)
Starts with P, ends with YPRY→
25A
Interfere, like with a lock's integrity (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTAMPER→
29A
Devoured (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
30A
Feeling blue (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSAD→
31A
It can be fragile or inflated (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEGO→
32A
"Top Gun" actor Kilmer (3)
Starts with V, ends with LVAL→
34A
Like someone who unplugs completely (10)
Starts with O, ends with DOFFTHEGRID→
38A
State that hosts RAGBRAI (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOWA→
39A
Regret (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERUE→
40A
Broadcasts (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAIRS→
41A
Successor's challenge after replacing a legend (14)
Starts with B, ends with LBIGSHOESTOFILL→
46A
Cooling cubes (3)
Starts with I, ends with EICE→
47A
Chooses (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOPTS→
48A
Outlaw (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBAN→
49A
Simmer with anger (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESEETHE→
51A
A, in German (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEIN→
52A
Chimpanzee, e.g. (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAPE→
55A
Hints that help decipher the meaning of an unfamiliar word (12)
Starts with C, ends with SCONTEXTCLUES→
59A
Leah or Sean, for example (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENAME→
62A
Calf-length skirt (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMIDI→
63A
Actors memorize them (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLINES→
64A
Widely adored person (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
65A
"Beware the ___ of March" (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIDES→
66A
Prefix similar to "mega" (5)
Starts with U, ends with AULTRA→
67A
Word after "cereal" or "acai" (4)
Starts with B, ends with LBOWL→
68A
Value of a penny (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCENT→
69A
Prone to giving orders (5)
Starts with B, ends with YBOSSY→
Down
1D
Stuffed cornmeal cake (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAREPA→
3D
Look-___ (doppelganger) (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALIKE→
4D
British museum (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETATE→
5D
Not taxable, e.g. (6)
Starts with E, ends with TEXEMPT→
6D
Traditional wood for some piano keys (5)
Starts with E, ends with YEBONY→
7D
What dogs do to regulate body temperature (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPANT→
8D
Bug bite symptom (4)
Starts with I, ends with HITCH→
9D
Fastest land animal (7)
Starts with C, ends with HCHEETAH→
10D
Wi-Fi device (5)
Starts with M, ends with MMODEM→
11D
Roth ___ (nest egg option) (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
12D
Purring pet (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCAT→
13D
Pub offering (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
21D
Cookie with a BTS variety (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
22D
Created (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMADE→
26D
Severe danger (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPERIL→
27D
Aesthetic with emo influences (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEGIRL→
28D
Photoreceptors responsible for night vision (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRODS→
29D
"'Tis a shame" (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALAS→
30D
Copy editor's "Leave as-is" (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSTET→
32D
Essence of a crossword constructor's style (5)
Starts with V, ends with EVOICE→
33D
"Oh, shucks!" (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAWGEE→
35D
Ridge on a guitar neck (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFRET→
36D
Commotion (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFUSS→
37D
Acquire (4)
Starts with G, ends with NGAIN→
38D
Sacred Egyptian bird (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIBIS→
42D
Snack cake similar to a Swiss roll (4)
Starts with H, ends with OHOHO→
43D
Amateur comic's event (7)
Starts with O, ends with COPENMIC→
44D
Memorial bio (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOBIT→
45D
Star's groupies (7)
Starts with F, ends with BFANCLUB→
50D
Infection-fighting immune system component (5)
Starts with T, ends with LTCELL→
51D
Simply be (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIST→
52D
Parent's sisters (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAUNTS→
53D
Social equals (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPEERS→
54D
Writing assignment (5)
Starts with E, ends with YESSAY→
56D
"A rising ___ lifts all boats" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIDE→
57D
Paradise (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
58D
Stitch's pal (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLILO→
59D
Pen tip (3)
Starts with N, ends with BNIB→
60D
Commotion (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
61D
Cut the grass (3)
Starts with M, ends with WMOW→
How to solve the USA Today Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title explains the theme. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to an individual page for each clue.
Want the full method? Read our USA Today Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the USA Today Crossword on the hub.
USA Today Crossword tips for tomorrow
- The title is the theme. USA Today titles describe the theme plainly. Reread it once you have one long answer.
- Expect modern references. Agard's puzzles feature recent music, film and internet culture more than most newspapers.
- Solve the short fill fast. Difficulty is even all week, so three- and four-letter crossings are reliable gimmes.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, NYT Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous USA Today Crossword puzzles
USA Today Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the USA Today Crossword for August 21, 2026?+
79 clues: 38 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Lessen gradually (ABATE); Monumental (EPIC); Flaky rock (MICA).
Who edits the USA Today Crossword?+
Erik Agard has edited the USA Today Crossword since 2020.
Where can I find past USA Today Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
