WSJ Crossword hints and answers for May 8, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
TitleBefore the Second Half
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
Theory, after being proven (3)
Starts with L, ends with WLAW→
4A
Make sense of (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPARSE→
9A
Source of capital gains (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSTOCK→
14A
Flamenco cry (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOLE→
15A
Birthplace of Malcolm X (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOMAHA→
16A
Long-necked wader (5)
Starts with H, ends with NHERON→
17A
Rightmost pedal (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGAS→
18A
Not in the top tier (11)
Starts with M, ends with EMINORLEAGUE→
20A
Up next (5)
Starts with O, ends with PONTAP→
22A
Film character seized by Miss Gulch (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTOTO→
23A
Oktoberfest order (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
24A
Where people say “nappy” instead of “diaper,” or “diaper” instead of “nappy” (13)
Starts with A, ends with DACROSSTHEPOND→
28A
Suddenly arise (6)
Starts with C, ends with PCROPUP→
29A
Slot machine symbol (3)
Starts with B, ends with RBAR→
30A
Rap sheet letters (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAKA→
31A
Sank one’s teeth into? (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSAWED→
35A
Menacing Empire honorific (5)
Starts with D, ends with HDARTH→
39A
Symbol of solidarity (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFIST→
41A
Cathedral centers (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNAVES→
44A
Sweepstakes submission (5)
Starts with E, ends with YENTRY→
46A
Morocco’s capital (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRABAT→
48A
“Born on the Bayou” band, for short (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCCR→
49A
Story that allows one to escape trouble (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOUT→
51A
Will who voices Batman in the Lego movies (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARNETT→
53A
Cal Poly home (13)
Starts with S, ends with OSANLUISOBISPO→
58A
___ Z (the whole alphabet) (3)
Starts with A, ends with OATO→
59A
Lucky Charms symbol (4)
Starts with M, ends with NMOON→
60A
Coat material (5)
Starts with P, ends with TPAINT→
62A
21-time Oscar nominee (11)
Starts with M, ends with PMERYLSTREEP→
66A
“The Three-Body Problem” author Cixin (3)
Starts with L, ends with ULIU→
67A
Backyard party area (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPATIO→
68A
Die down (5)
Starts with A, ends with EABATE→
69A
Tread the boards (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
70A
Stumbling block for nonnative speakers (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSLANG→
71A
Green energy option (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSOLAR→
72A
The ACC’s Seminoles (3)
Starts with F, ends with UFSU→
Down
1D
Letterhead topper (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLOGO→
2D
Yossarian’s portrayer in “Catch-22” (9)
Starts with A, ends with NALANARKIN→
3D
The American left? (9)
Starts with W, ends with TWESTCOAST→
4D
Full of oneself (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPOMPOUS→
5D
Bordeaux bud (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAMI→
6D
Fiery blog posts (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRANTS→
7D
“Goldarn it!” (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSHOOT→
8D
We’re here (5)
Starts with E, ends with HEARTH→
9D
“___ Bad” (Cardi B/YG song) (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
10D
Gossip, in modern lingo (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
11D
Prominent instrument in “House of the Rising Sun” (5)
Starts with O, ends with NORGAN→
13D
Last word of “Oh! Susanna” (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
19D
“Stay” singer Lisa (4)
Starts with L, ends with BLOEB→
21D
Sculptor Jean (3)
Starts with A, ends with PARP→
25D
Distance (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSPAN→
26D
It’s under the rug (3)
Starts with P, ends with DPAD→
27D
Word-of-mouth (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
28D
Bohemian meeting spot (5)
Starts with C, ends with CAFÉ→
32D
Big battle (3)
Starts with W, ends with RWAR→
33D
Juan Perón’s wife (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEVA→
34D
Ball girl? (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDEB→
36D
Starchy side dish cooked in broth (9)
Starts with R, ends with FRICEPILAF→
37D
Study of the planet’s crust (9)
Starts with T, ends with STECTONICS→
38D
Felt sore (4)
Starts with H, ends with THURT→
40D
“___: Ares” (2025 sci-fi film) (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTRON→
42D
Bygone Scandinavian automaker (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSAAB→
45D
“The King and I” star Brynner (3)
Starts with Y, ends with LYUL→
47D
“Day ___” (1965 hit) (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTRIPPER→
50D
Product that uses the “Dragnet” theme in ads (4)
Starts with T, ends with STUMS→
52D
Code-breaking org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANSA→
53D
Runner’s feat (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSTEAL→
54D
Significant blood line (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAORTA→
55D
Modest amounts (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIOTAS→
56D
“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” star (5)
Starts with S, ends with OSORBO→
57D
#1 NBA draft pick of 1992 (5)
Starts with O, ends with LONEAL→
58D
Ratchets (up) (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMPS→
61D
Dance outfit (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTUTU→
63D
Feminine side (3)
Starts with Y, ends with NYIN→
64D
Timbersports target (3)
Starts with L, ends with GLOG→
65D
LAX prediction, briefly (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
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
This is the earliest puzzle in our archive.
WSJ Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the WSJ Crossword for May 8, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Patrick Berry and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Theory, after being proven (LAW); Make sense of (PARSE); Source of capital gains (STOCK).
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.
