USA Today 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.
Clues78
Across41
Down37
DaySunday
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
Total hotties (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBABES→
6A
New mom in fawning season (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDOE→
9A
Bit of eye cream (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDAB→
12A
Units of sourdough (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLOAVES→
14A
"Know ___ good spots?" (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
15A
"A long, long time ___ . . ." (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAGO→
16A
Worldly and refined (6)
Starts with U, ends with EURBANE→
17A
Nokcha or longjing (8)
Starts with G, ends with AGREENTEA→
19A
Home for piglets (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
20A
Typical commuter car (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSEDAN→
22A
Maid of honor's delivery (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTOAST→
23A
Reckless speed (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHASTE→
25A
Briny items in a relish tray (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOLIVES→
27A
Kept under wraps (3)
Starts with H, ends with DHID→
28A
Satisfies fully (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSATES→
29A
B-school degree (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMBA→
32A
Ink stain (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBLOT→
34A
The Grinch's dog (3)
Starts with M, ends with XMAX→
35A
One might have a bike lane (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSTREET→
37A
State with the Amana Colonies (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOWA→
38A
Thus far (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASYET→
40A
"Overcompensating" actor DiMarco (4)
Starts with A, ends with MADAM→
41A
Large concert venues (6)
Starts with A, ends with SARENAS→
43A
Some undergrad degrees (3)
Starts with B, ends with SBAS→
44A
Minor criticisms (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNITS→
45A
Address to a superior officer (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
46A
Laughs loudly (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROARS→
48A
___ Wong ("Resident Evil" spy) (3)
Starts with A, ends with AADA→
49A
Treat with a cherry on top (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESUNDAE→
50A
Purchase prices (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOSTS→
53A
Backpack full of supplies, maybe (5)
Starts with G, ends with GGOBAG→
56A
Drop in on (5)
Starts with V, ends with TVISIT→
58A
Vietnamese for "festival" (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTET→
59A
"Fine! I give up!" (8)
Starts with O, ends with NOKYOUWIN→
61A
Gymnastics legend Biles (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESIMONE→
63A
"Why ___ we here?" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
64A
"Viva ___ Vegas" (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLAS→
65A
Like a voice after a long speech (6)
Starts with H, ends with EHOARSE→
66A
Profs' colleagues (3)
Starts with T, ends with STAS→
67A
Tool swung at a tree trunk (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAXE→
68A
Gave a moniker to (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNAMED→
Down
1D
React shyly to praise, perhaps (5)
Starts with B, ends with HBLUSH→
2D
Largest artery in the body (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAORTA→
3D
Party for an expecting parent (10)
Starts with B, ends with RBABYSHOWER→
4D
"Training Day" actress Mendes (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEVA→
5D
Picked up on (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSENSED→
6D
"Well, shoot!" (6)
Starts with D, ends with TDARNIT→
7D
Number of lenses in a monocle (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
8D
Checkup for vision (7)
Starts with E, ends with TEYETEST→
9D
Numbers to be crunched (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADATA→
10D
Seemingly forever (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAGES→
11D
Vessel for gravy (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBOAT→
13D
"Didn't I tell you?" (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
17D
Meme demonstrating absurdity posing as genius (11)
Starts with G, ends with NGALAXYBRAIN→
18D
Dissenting votes (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNOS→
21D
Savory rice-and-lentil dishes (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDOSAS→
24D
Saturn's largest moon (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTITAN→
26D
Reflective gear for road workers (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVESTS→
29D
Spike in news coverage (10)
Starts with M, ends with MMEDIASTORM→
30D
Totally exhausted (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBEAT→
31D
Devices with cash cassettes (4)
Starts with A, ends with SATMS→
32D
Lack of objectivity (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBIAS→
33D
"Shark Tank" investor Greiner (4)
Starts with L, ends with ILORI→
34D
Brick-laying pro (5)
Starts with M, ends with NMASON→
36D
Total stranger (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORANDO→
39D
Makes less hard (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEASES→
42D
Peppery salad green (7)
Starts with A, ends with AARUGULA→
47D
Give counsel to (6)
Starts with A, ends with EADVISE→
48D
Film genre with stunt doubles (6)
Starts with A, ends with NACTION→
49D
___ Paulo, Brazil (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSAO→
51D
On edge (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETENSE→
52D
Trusty horse (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSTEED→
53D
Animal prone to butting (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGOAT→
54D
Seed-packed pod veggie (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOKRA→
55D
Free passes in playoffs (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBYES→
57D
"Sorta" (3)
Starts with I, ends with HISH→
60D
Honeycomb material (3)
Starts with W, ends with XWAX→
62D
Barnyard bleat (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMAA→
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 23, 2026?+
78 clues: 41 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Total hotties (BABES); New mom in fawning season (DOE); Bit of eye cream (DAB).
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.
