WSJ Crossword hints and answers for May 20, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleLook Both Ways
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
4A
Doha dignitaries (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEMIRS→
9A
Juicy fruit (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPEAR→
13A
City on the South Skunk River (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMES→
15A
Dean’s “Rebel Without a Cause” co-star (5)
Starts with M, ends with OMINEO→
16A
Surname in a Brontë title (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEYRE→
17A
See music groups in timepiece accessories? (10)
Starts with W, ends with SWATCHBANDS→
19A
Lentil, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEED→
20A
Evening event (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESOIREE→
21A
In order that you might (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSOASTO→
23A
Blows it (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERRS→
25A
Big name in collectible cards (5)
Starts with T, ends with STOPPS→
28A
Puts away (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSAVES→
31A
Cook’s company (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAPPLE→
35A
“A rat!” (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
36A
Bone-dry (4)
Starts with A, ends with DARID→
37A
Like some grounders (6)
Starts with O, ends with PONEHOP→
38A
Born, in a bio (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
39A
Indignation (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIRE→
40A
See baby goats in a 2001 action film? (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSPYKIDS→
41A
“Yuck!” (3)
Starts with E, ends with WEWW→
42A
Green, in a way (3)
Starts with N, ends with WNEW→
43A
Hepburn’s “The Lion in Winter” co-star (6)
Starts with O, ends with EOTOOLE→
44A
Largest of Canada’s First Nations (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECREE→
45A
Cooking meas. (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTSP→
46A
Japanese immigrant (5)
Starts with I, ends with IISSEI→
47A
Locker room sulker (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLOSER→
48A
Comedy club furnishing (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSTOOL→
50A
Be proactive (4)
Starts with P, ends with NPLAN→
52A
Stand firm (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINSIST→
56A
Bureau of Consular Affairs issuance (6)
Starts with U, ends with AUSVISA→
60A
Bamboozles (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCONS→
62A
See a houndstooth pattern in random samplings? (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSPOTCHECKS→
64A
Chip, maybe (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
65A
Absolute bottom (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNADIR→
66A
“I guess so” (4)
Starts with Y, ends with HYEAH→
67A
Sentry station (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPOST→
68A
Mentor’s sacrifice in films, e.g. (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETROPE→
69A
Home for Hampshires (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
Down
1D
Dogs’ dogs (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPAWS→
2D
Texter’s “Too funny!” (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLMAO→
3D
Big name in travel mugs (4)
Starts with Y, ends with IYETI→
4D
Fire remnant (5)
Starts with E, ends with REMBER→
5D
“Mamma ___!” (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMIA→
6D
Getaway destinations (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINNS→
7D
Make over (4)
Starts with R, ends with OREDO→
8D
1998 National League MVP (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASOSA→
9D
Basil-based sauce (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPESTO→
10D
See warm-up acts in surprising situations? (10)
Starts with E, ends with SEYEOPENERS→
11D
Equal, in a story problem (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
12D
Cabernet, e.g. (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRED→
14D
Bitter rant (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSCREED→
18D
His’s partner (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHERS→
22D
Flight features (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEPS→
24D
Some mobile phones (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSANYOS→
26D
Little fellow (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPEEWEE→
27D
Mock without mercy (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSKEWER→
28D
Big Easy team (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSAINTS→
29D
Collar (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARREST→
30D
See sports scores in scenic outlooks? (10)
Starts with V, ends with SVIEWPOINTS→
32D
Black tea (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPEKOE→
33D
Charles III’s father (6)
Starts with P, ends with PPHILIP→
34D
Bank deposit (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELODE→
37D
Shows a preference (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOPTS→
40D
Specimens for agronomists (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSOILS→
44D
Get across (6)
Starts with C, ends with YCONVEY→
47D
Fasten securely (4)
Starts with L, ends with HLASH→
49D
Beginning (5)
Starts with O, ends with TONSET→
51D
Ill-gotten gains (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELUCRE→
53D
Ain’t right? (4)
Starts with I, ends with TISNT→
54D
Bandy words (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSPAR→
55D
Brouhaha (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTODO→
57D
Ensures, informally (4)
Starts with I, ends with SICES→
58D
Card game for three (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSKAT→
60D
Ceiling (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCAP→
61D
A Beatle bride (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
63D
Helpful words (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTIP→
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 May 20, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Gary Larson and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Layer (PLY); Doha dignitaries (EMIRS); Juicy fruit (PEAR).
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.
