USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 23, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
DayThursday
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
"YOU betrayed me?" (4)
Starts with E, ends with UETTU→
5A
Chocolaty coffees (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMOCHAS→
11A
Fave bud (3)
Starts with B, ends with FBFF→
14A
Way in or out (4)
Starts with D, ends with RDOOR→
15A
Get some fresh air (6)
Starts with I, ends with EINHALE→
16A
"Fearless," for Taylor Swift (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
17A
Person who perseveres (11)
Starts with T, ends with ETOUGHCOOKIE→
19A
"Fast ___" (Tracy Chapman song) (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCAR→
20A
Algonquian language (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECREE→
21A
Final stage of a chess match (7)
Starts with E, ends with EENDGAME→
23A
Shows the way (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGUIDES→
25A
Sleep shirt, say (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETEE→
26A
Thought "Welp, shouldn't have done that . . ." (4)
Starts with R, ends with DRUED→
27A
Part of TGIF (3)
Starts with I, ends with SITS→
28A
Tiny particle (4)
Starts with A, ends with MATOM→
30A
Kind of drum, fish or voice (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBASS→
31A
"Keep your cool!" (8)
Starts with G, ends with PGETAGRIP→
34A
Roam around (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROVE→
35A
Person with a lot of influence (9)
Starts with B, ends with EBIGCHEESE→
37A
Bit of land in the sea (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISLE→
38A
"Understand me?" (8)
Starts with A, ends with RAMICLEAR→
42A
___ Stadium (where the Mets used to play) (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASHEA→
43A
Memo header (4)
Starts with A, ends with NATTN→
44A
Hush-hush doc. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANDA→
45A
H.S. course in demand? (4)
Starts with E, ends with NECON→
46A
Mac alternatives (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPCS→
47A
"The Office," for one (6)
Starts with S, ends with MSITCOM→
50A
Toaster pastry type (7)
Starts with P, ends with TPOPTART→
52A
Orange juice stuff (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPULP→
53A
"That's my ___!" ("I'm on!") (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECUE→
54A
Person who travels through channels? (11)
Starts with C, ends with OCOUCHPOTATO→
59A
Decisive NBA periods (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOTS→
60A
Fill with love (6)
Starts with E, ends with RENAMOR→
61A
"Back to you" (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
62A
General on a restaurant menu (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTSO→
63A
Say "it me," perhaps (6)
Starts with R, ends with ERELATE→
64A
Elly De La Cruz's team (4)
Starts with R, ends with SREDS→
Down
1D
Boston summer hours (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEDT→
2D
"How adorbs!" (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETOOCUTE→
3D
One who might fall into a trap? (7)
Starts with T, ends with TTOURIST→
4D
Strongly encouraged (5)
Starts with U, ends with DURGED→
5D
___ drop (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMIC→
6D
"Odyssey of a Cockroach" author Yoko (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
7D
Comedian Margaret (3)
Starts with C, ends with OCHO→
8D
NBA All-Star Olajuwon (6)
Starts with H, ends with MHAKEEM→
9D
Flared dress style (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALINE→
10D
Tournament ranking (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEED→
11D
"I said so, that's why!" (7)
Starts with B, ends with EBECAUSE→
12D
Portrait holders (6)
Starts with F, ends with SFRAMES→
13D
Managed (5)
Starts with F, ends with DFARED→
18D
Laughing syllable (3)
Starts with H, ends with EHEE→
22D
Rocky road component? (6)
Starts with G, ends with LGRAVEL→
23D
Jazz musician's job (3)
Starts with G, ends with GGIG→
24D
Military nickname (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESARGE→
25D
Tall headwear pieces (7)
Starts with T, ends with STOPHATS→
29D
___-tac-toe (3)
Starts with T, ends with CTIC→
30D
Anjou alternative (4)
Starts with B, ends with CBOSC→
33D
River to the Colorado (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGILA→
34D
Take the ___ (step into leadership) (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREINS→
36D
CPR specialist (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
37D
"Fingers crossed!" (7)
Starts with I, ends with OIHOPESO→
39D
Surrounded region (7)
Starts with E, ends with EENCLAVE→
40D
Brought home from the animal shelter (7)
Starts with A, ends with DADOPTED→
41D
He absolutely loves ewe (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
42D
Does some recon work (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSCOUTS→
43D
Honest-to-goodness (6)
Starts with A, ends with LACTUAL→
45D
Disney World theme park home to the World Showcase (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEPCOT→
46D
Susceptible (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPRONE→
48D
Nasdaq debut (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIPO→
49D
Teach one-on-one (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTUTOR→
51D
Laptop brand (4)
Starts with A, ends with RACER→
55D
Nashville-based awards org. (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACMA→
56D
Word repeated three times in a Buster Poindexter song title (3)
Starts with H, ends with THOT→
57D
Not post (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPRE→
58D
Choice words? (3)
Starts with O, ends with SORS→
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 July 23, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "YOU betrayed me?" (ETTU); Chocolaty coffees (MOCHAS); Fave bud (BFF).
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.
