WSJ Crossword hints and answers for August 19, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues80
Across37
Down43
TitleThumbs Down
Today’s WSJ 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
Big belt (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSWIG→
5A
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was Iran’s last (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSHAH→
9A
Grifter’s targets (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSAPS→
13A
She’s seated between Samuel and Brett (5)
Starts with E, ends with AELENA→
14A
Lavishly appointed (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELUXE→
15A
Party on the beach, perhaps (4)
Starts with L, ends with ULUAU→
16A
Cargo from Germany (10)
Starts with V, ends with NVOLKSWAGEN→
18A
The ravens Huginn and Muninn serve him (4)
Starts with O, ends with NODIN→
19A
Slinky swimmer (3)
Starts with E, ends with LEEL→
20A
Bit of ancient argot (11)
Starts with C, ends with GCAVEDRAWING→
22A
Overly indulgent (3)
Starts with L, ends with XLAX→
23A
Fashion trigram (3)
Starts with Y, ends with LYSL→
24A
Find acceptance from the group (5)
Starts with F, ends with NFITIN→
27A
Character’s dramatic journey (3)
Starts with A, ends with CARC→
30A
New wave music maker (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSYNTH→
34A
Rio contents (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGUA→
35A
Returning words (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIMHOME→
37A
Nest egg option (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
38A
Tango producers (15)
Starts with U, ends with SULTRAVIOLETRAYS→
41A
Pub privy (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLOO→
42A
Lady Bird’s hubby (6)
Starts with L, ends with NLYNDON→
43A
High-pitched Muppet (4)
Starts with E, ends with OELMO→
46A
Galley tool (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
47A
Greek physician (5)
Starts with G, ends with NGALEN→
48A
Stew morsel (3)
Starts with P, ends with APEA→
50A
Foremost (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTOP→
51A
Turning spigots (11)
Starts with R, ends with SROTISSERIES→
57A
LinkedIn listing (3)
Starts with J, ends with BJOB→
60A
In a wild state (4)
Starts with A, ends with KAMOK→
61A
Godiva’s place to show off (10)
Starts with O, ends with EOPERAHOUSE→
63A
Salad green (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKALE→
64A
Barcelona boy (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONINO→
65A
Dada’s Max (5)
Starts with E, ends with TERNST→
66A
Wraps up (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
67A
Bus. sch. course (4)
Starts with E, ends with NECON→
68A
Unacceptable, and a hint to the clues at 16-, 20-, 38-, 51- and 61-Across (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONOGO→
Down
1D
Sharply sour fruit (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESLOE→
2D
“Let me think...” (4)
Starts with W, ends with LWELL→
3D
Squid squirt (3)
Starts with I, ends with KINK→
4D
Stranded motorist’s need (6)
Starts with G, ends with NGASCAN→
5D
Pole, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with VSLAV→
7D
Dismissed brutally (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAXED→
8D
Patriotic Patrick (5)
Starts with H, ends with YHENRY→
9D
Lento, say (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSLOWLY→
10D
Lamborghini’s parent company (4)
Starts with A, ends with IAUDI→
11D
It can make you smart (4)
Starts with P, ends with NPAIN→
12D
Like some Masses (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSUNG→
13D
“The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” speaker (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEVE→
17D
Batiking need (3)
Starts with W, ends with XWAX→
21D
Strong quality (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASSET→
22D
“I don’t believe you!” (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLIAR→
24D
Court error (5)
Starts with F, ends with TFAULT→
25D
Cooler brand (5)
Starts with I, ends with OIGLOO→
26D
Lesson leader (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTUTOR→
27D
NH2 group (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMINO→
28D
Spinoff of 1974 (5)
Starts with R, ends with ARHODA→
29D
Brown, e.g. (5)
Starts with C, ends with RCOLOR→
31D
Bandmate of Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis (5)
Starts with N, ends with LNIALL→
32D
“You wouldn’t dare!” reply (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETRYME→
35D
Brown, e.g. (3)
Starts with I, ends with YIVY→
36D
Door sign (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMEN→
39D
Spiny flora (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALOES→
40D
Bring in (4)
Starts with R, ends with PREAP→
45D
Graph aberrations (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPIKES→
47D
Egyptian land mentioned in Genesis (6)
Starts with G, ends with NGOSHEN→
49D
Together (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASONE→
50D
Steeped stuff (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
51D
Tool in a Zen garden (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERAKE→
52D
Sultanate in the U.N. (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMAN→
53D
Related (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTOLD→
54D
Impressive in scope (4)
Starts with E, ends with CEPIC→
55D
City near Lake Tahoe (4)
Starts with R, ends with ORENO→
57D
“On the Conflicts of the Child’s Soul” author (4)
Starts with J, ends with GJUNG→
58D
Bone, in Bologna (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOSSO→
59D
Get into the pool (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBET→
62D
Guatemalan gold (3)
Starts with O, ends with OORO→
How to solve the WSJ Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title hints at the theme, and on Fridays a final instruction asks for the meta answer. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button.
Want the full method? Read our WSJ Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the WSJ Crossword on the hub.
WSJ Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Read the title first. WSJ titles are precise. They usually describe exactly how the theme entries are transformed.
- Solve Friday twice. Fill the grid, then look for a pattern in the theme entries that spells or points to the meta answer.
- Learn the editor's style. Mike Shenk favours tight wordplay. A clue that seems too literal probably has a second reading.
Done for today? Try NYT Crossword, LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous WSJ Crossword puzzles
WSJ Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the WSJ Crossword for August 19, 2026?+
80 clues: 37 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mike Shenk and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Big belt (SWIG); Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was Iran’s last (SHAH); Grifter’s targets (SAPS).
Who edits the WSJ Crossword?+
Mike Shenk has edited the Wall Street Journal Crossword since its launch.
Where can I find past WSJ Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
