USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 20, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues80
Across39
Down41
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
Phoenix Opera solo (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
5A
"Do your ___!" (5)
Starts with W, ends with TWORST→
10A
Take orders from (4)
Starts with O, ends with YOBEY→
14A
Pear suitable for poaching (4)
Starts with B, ends with CBOSC→
15A
Really mad (5)
Starts with I, ends with EIRATE→
16A
Like stallions and bulls (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMALE→
17A
Alley target in a Wii Sports game (10)
Starts with B, ends with NBOWLINGPIN→
19A
Ticks off (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIRKS→
20A
Do better than (5)
Starts with O, ends with PONEUP→
21A
Areas of land (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRACTS→
23A
Drink that might be served with crumpets (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
24A
Need to pay (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOWE→
27A
"___ corte de rosas y espinas" (Sarah J. Maas novel translated by Margara Averbach) (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUNA→
28A
Spigot (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTAP→
31A
Trips around the sun (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYRS→
33A
Proves versatile (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADAPTS→
35A
"Days of ___ Lives" (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROUR→
36A
Orchard units (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACRES→
38A
Counterpart of ecstasy (5)
Starts with A, ends with YAGONY→
40A
Flash seen before hearing thunder (13)
Starts with L, ends with TLIGHTNINGBOLT→
44A
"Hidden Figures" star Janelle (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMONAE→
45A
Airport annoyance (5)
Starts with D, ends with YDELAY→
46A
Long, long time (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEON→
47A
Vegas venue whose interior includes the world's largest LED screen (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESPHERE→
50A
Write to Dear Abby, say (3)
Starts with A, ends with KASK→
53A
Boxing ref's call (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTKO→
54A
"___ Te Ching" (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTAO→
55A
The Broncos, on a scoreboard (3)
Starts with D, ends with NDEN→
57A
Brain scan (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with GEEG→
59A
Home on a Kingdomino starting tile (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECASTLE→
62A
Turn into mush (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPUREE→
64A
Sign of things to come (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
66A
Classic parade streamer material (10)
Starts with T, ends with ETICKERTAPE→
69A
Dryer fuzz (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLINT→
70A
Causing goose bumps (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEERIE→
71A
Gorillas and gibbons (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPES→
72A
Prom partner (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDATE→
73A
"I'm ___ in the back of the car / And I cried like a baby comin' home from the bar" (5)
Starts with D, ends with KDRUNK→
74A
In this location (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHERE→
Down
1D
Monastery figure (5)
Starts with A, ends with TABBOT→
2D
"Carol" star Mara (6)
Starts with R, ends with YROONEY→
3D
"That's the truth!" (6)
Starts with I, ends with RISWEAR→
4D
6-Down that defends legal rights (4)
Starts with A, ends with UACLU→
5D
Take the prize (3)
Starts with W, ends with NWIN→
6D
4-Down, e.g. (3)
Starts with O, ends with GORG→
7D
Spellbound (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRAPT→
8D
Provoke (6)
Starts with S, ends with PSTIRUP→
9D
Rent payer (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTENANT→
10D
Leave out (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOMIT→
11D
Happy hour seat (8)
Starts with B, ends with LBARSTOOL→
12D
Yellowstone creature (3)
Starts with E, ends with KELK→
13D
"Definitely!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
18D
Stock debut, for short (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIPO→
22D
Honeydew alternative (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACASABA→
25D
Toad's bump (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWART→
26D
Blissful spot (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
29D
Woman with nieces, say (4)
Starts with A, ends with TAUNT→
30D
Be nosy (3)
Starts with P, ends with YPRY→
32D
It's a long story! (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASAGA→
34D
Parenthetical bit (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASIDE→
37D
Ice holders (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCHESTS→
39D
"El perro" painter Francisco (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGOYA→
40D
Window-shop, perhaps (4)
Starts with L, ends with KLOOK→
41D
Not guilty (8)
Starts with I, ends with TINNOCENT→
42D
Brainy person (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNERD→
43D
Pure delight (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGLEE→
44D
Was introduced to (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMET→
48D
Tapped gently (6)
Starts with P, ends with DPATTED→
49D
___-than-thou (6)
Starts with H, ends with RHOLIER→
51D
Colorful wrap (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESERAPE→
52D
Real gem (6)
Starts with K, ends with RKEEPER→
56D
"All Things Considered" network (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNPR→
58D
Honking flock (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGEESE→
60D
Poker payment (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
61D
Beige shade (4)
Starts with E, ends with UECRU→
63D
State home to Bryce Canyon (4)
Starts with U, ends with HUTAH→
64D
Ancient (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOLD→
65D
"The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" protagonist (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMIA→
68D
Cartoon shriek (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
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 August 20, 2026?+
80 clues: 39 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Phoenix Opera solo (ARIA); "Do your ___!" (WORST); Take orders from (OBEY).
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.
