WSJ Crossword hints and answers for August 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
TitleCorrode Test
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
“Matilda” writer Roald (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDAHL→
5A
Stitched up (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSEWN→
9A
Henry VIII and Elizabeth I’s royal house (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTUDOR→
14A
Largest continent (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
15A
Trilevel cookie (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
16A
2024 film that won the Best Picture Oscar (5)
Starts with A, ends with AANORA→
17A
Puts on a blacklist (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBANS→
18A
Marine mammal’s tooth that might be a meter long (10)
Starts with W, ends with KWALRUSTUSK→
20A
Thrown in (5)
Starts with A, ends with DADDED→
22A
ID first issued in 1936 (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
23A
High wind in a pit (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOBOE→
24A
Spring zodiac sign (13)
Starts with T, ends with LTAURUSTHEBULL→
28A
Fruit that’s sometimes poached (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPEAR→
29A
Like chinchillas and alpacas (6)
Starts with A, ends with NANDEAN→
32A
Tippy-top (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACME→
35A
“Please stay!” (6)
Starts with D, ends with ODONTGO→
38A
Savings for sr. yrs. (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
39A
Shell, Prell or Dell, e.g. (5)
Starts with B, ends with DBRAND→
41A
Greta of “The Morning Show” (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELEE→
42A
Absorb thoroughly (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSOPUP→
44A
Playfully shy (3)
Starts with C, ends with YCOY→
45A
Ferry destination (6)
Starts with I, ends with DISLAND→
48A
New England football team, informally (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPATS→
49A
Water source (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSPIGOT→
51A
Hefty book (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETOME→
53A
Persian ruler who conquered Babylonia (13)
Starts with C, ends with TCYRUSTHEGREAT→
59A
Done laps in a pool (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSWUM→
61A
Gamer’s cube (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDIE→
62A
Hayek of “Frida” (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASALMA→
63A
Source of oranges or lemons (10)
Starts with C, ends with ECITRUSTREE→
67A
Stadium seating section (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTIER→
68A
Assumed name (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALIAS→
69A
Muffin material (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBRAN→
70A
“This is bad!” (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHNO→
71A
Japanese box lunch (5)
Starts with B, ends with OBENTO→
72A
Croquet game setting (4)
Starts with Y, ends with DYARD→
73A
Corrosion found in the four longest Across answers (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRUST→
Down
1D
Sponge gently (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDABAT→
2D
Carne ___ (grilled Mexican dish) (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASADA→
3D
Like many Diwali celebrants (5)
Starts with H, ends with UHINDU→
4D
High-tech pointer (8)
Starts with L, ends with NLASERPEN→
5D
Female hog (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSOW→
6D
Distinct stretch of time (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
7D
Like Cardiff natives (5)
Starts with W, ends with HWELSH→
8D
Like Thor and Odin (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENORSE→
9D
Prof’s helpers, for short (3)
Starts with T, ends with STAS→
10D
Innumerable (6)
Starts with U, ends with DUNTOLD→
11D
Extra-hoppy brew (9)
Starts with D, ends with ADOUBLEIPA→
12D
“Thereabouts” (4)
Starts with O, ends with OORSO→
13D
Leaf-gathering tool (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERAKE→
19D
What you do to groceries when you get home (5)
Starts with U, ends with GUNBAG→
21D
Expected in (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDUE→
25D
Gloomy (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSAD→
26D
Online troublemaker (5)
Starts with T, ends with LTROLL→
27D
Chicago-style pizza chain, familiarly (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUNOS→
30D
In ___ (stagnated) (4)
Starts with A, ends with TARUT→
31D
Brief snoozes (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNAPS→
32D
Elementary school basics (4)
Starts with A, ends with SABCS→
33D
Corn or cotton (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCROP→
34D
Question on the dance floor (9)
Starts with M, ends with NMAYICUTIN→
36D
Org. for profs (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANEA→
37D
First extra inning (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTENTH→
40D
Christian of fashion (4)
Starts with D, ends with RDIOR→
43D
Old switchboard pro (8)
Starts with O, ends with ROPERATOR→
46D
Posts inside walls (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTUDS→
47D
Female deer (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDOE→
50D
One doing a lot of heavy lifting? (6)
Starts with G, ends with TGYMRAT→
52D
Sports cars from Britain (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMGS→
54D
Refuse to get involved (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSITBY→
55D
___ incognita (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATERRA→
56D
College benefactor Yale (5)
Starts with E, ends with UELIHU→
57D
Replies from the congregation (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAMENS→
58D
Divining deck (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTAROT→
59D
Wound covering (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSCAB→
60D
Cunning trick (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWILE→
64D
Troop-entertaining grp. (3)
Starts with U, ends with OUSO→
65D
Spot for an AirPod (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
66D
Finish (3)
Starts with E, ends with DEND→
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 16, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Zhouqin Burnikel and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: “Matilda” writer Roald (DAHL); Stitched up (SEWN); Henry VIII and Elizabeth I’s royal house (TUDOR).
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.
