WSJ Crossword hints and answers for August 23, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across35
Down39
TitleC-llectively Speaking
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
Spoil the appearance of (3)
Starts with M, ends with RMAR→
4A
Tot’s “choo-choo” (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTRAIN→
9A
Pride initials (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLGBT→
13A
Miners mine it (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
14A
___-Saxon (5)
Starts with A, ends with OANGLO→
15A
Vowel set (5)
Starts with A, ends with UAEIOU→
17A
Minor criticism (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNIT→
18A
Demand a seat up front (11)
Starts with C, ends with NCALLSHOTGUN→
20A
Korea’s continent (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
22A
New York theater awards (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOBIES→
23A
Richie’s dad, to the Fonz (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMRC→
24A
Phones ping off of them (10)
Starts with C, ends with SCELLTOWERS→
27A
Slinky’s shape (4)
Starts with C, ends with LCOIL→
28A
Feature of a Vegas “bandit” (6)
Starts with O, ends with MONEARM→
29A
Pickling liquid (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESOUSE→
30A
Film festival film, often (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINDIE→
34A
Strokes on the green (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPUTTS→
35A
Star of “Oppenheimer” (13)
Starts with C, ends with YCILLIANMURPHY→
39A
Pose for a photographer (5)
Starts with M, ends with LMODEL→
40A
Playfully impertinent (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSAUCY→
41A
Openly asserts (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAVOWS→
42A
High-protein legume (6)
Starts with L, ends with LLENTIL→
47A
Rip apart (4)
Starts with R, ends with DREND→
48A
Clavicle, more familiarly (10)
Starts with C, ends with ECOLLARBONE→
52A
Paintings and sculptures (3)
Starts with A, ends with TART→
53A
Marisa of “My Cousin Vinny” (5)
Starts with T, ends with ITOMEI→
54A
Spot for a spelunker (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAVE→
55A
Character shouted to with a “Hey!” in water treatment ads (11)
Starts with C, ends with NCULLIGANMAN→
59A
Make a hem (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSEW→
60A
Bee-related (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAPIAN→
61A
Sister’s daughter (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENIECE→
62A
Org. with wands and scanners (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
63A
Send a racy phone message to (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSEXT→
64A
Close-up on a map (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINSET→
65A
Hog’s hangout (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
Down
1D
Monte Carlo’s setting (6)
Starts with M, ends with OMONACO→
2D
Out of bed (6)
Starts with A, ends with NARISEN→
3D
Fix, as a bathroom floor (6)
Starts with R, ends with ERETILE→
4D
Tic-___-toe (3)
Starts with T, ends with CTAC→
5D
Gene messenger (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
6D
Radiant (5)
Starts with A, ends with WAGLOW→
7D
“Would you look at that!” (5)
Starts with I, ends with EILLBE→
8D
Soldier’s denial (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNOSIR→
9D
Vientiane’s setting (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLAOS→
10D
Obtain (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGET→
11D
Sort who can’t keep a secret (8)
Starts with B, ends with HBIGMOUTH→
12D
Like Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco (8)
Starts with T, ends with YTOURISTY→
16D
Mother’s brothers (6)
Starts with U, ends with SUNCLES→
19D
“___ a real nowhere man...” (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHES→
21D
In the style of (3)
Starts with A, ends with AALA→
25D
Sings like a bird (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRILLS→
26D
Upscale hotel chain (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
27D
Government overthrow (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCOUP→
29D
More agile (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSPRYER→
31D
Govt. prosecutors (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDAS→
32D
“Not ___ million years!” (3)
Starts with I, ends with AINA→
33D
Bird on Australian coins (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEMU→
35D
Scandal-avoiding ploys (8)
Starts with C, ends with SCOVERUPS→
36D
“That’s the truth” (8)
Starts with I, ends with EIDONTLIE→
38D
Bruins’ sch. (4)
Starts with U, ends with AUCLA→
39D
Salsa music shaker (6)
Starts with M, ends with AMARACA→
43D
“SNL” airer (3)
Starts with N, ends with CNBC→
44D
Glass-raising tributes (6)
Starts with T, ends with STOASTS→
45D
Play the market (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINVEST→
46D
Wiggle room (6)
Starts with L, ends with YLEEWAY→
48D
Machinery part (3)
Starts with C, ends with GCOG→
49D
Muscat resident (5)
Starts with O, ends with IOMANI→
50D
His tomb is in Red Square (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLENIN→
51D
Bartender’s wedges (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLIMES→
53D
Salon coloring (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTINT→
56D
Lenient (3)
Starts with L, ends with XLAX→
57D
Good card in blackjack (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
58D
Pickleball court divider (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNET→
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 23, 2026?+
74 clues: 35 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Andrea Carla Michaels & Kevin Christian and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Spoil the appearance of (MAR); Tot’s “choo-choo” (TRAIN); Pride initials (LGBT).
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.
