WSJ Crossword hints and answers for August 25, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across38
Down36
TitleJoking Kind
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
Friday’s lead-in? (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITGI→
4A
Word after black, covert or photo (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOPS→
7A
Intimidating words (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTHREAT→
13A
Hawaiian pizza topping (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHAM→
14A
Seltos seller (3)
Starts with K, ends with AKIA→
15A
Significant capital (6)
Starts with W, ends with HWEALTH→
16A
Gracefully stylish (7)
Starts with E, ends with TELEGANT→
18A
A bit more than 2,000 yards (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESEAMILE→
19A
Three-time Emmy Awards host with four Emmys (11)
Starts with J, ends with LJIMMYKIMMEL→
21A
Thing that a soda can, a web browser or a bar patron has (3)
Starts with T, ends with BTAB→
22A
Inventor Howe (5)
Starts with E, ends with SELIAS→
23A
Blitzen strap (4)
Starts with R, ends with NREIN→
24A
Chalice contents (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWINE→
25A
Camper shelter (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTENT→
26A
Subscription level (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTIER→
27A
Butterflies in the kitchen, e.g. (5)
Starts with P, ends with APASTA→
28A
Match at the poker table (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
29A
Tony Randall’s “The Odd Couple” co-star (11)
Starts with J, ends with NJACKKLUGMAN→
31A
Soul jazz pianist/singer McCann (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLES→
32A
Burning feeling (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIRE→
33A
“Rhoda” co-star who voices Marge Simpson (11)
Starts with J, ends with RJULIEKAVNER→
39A
CD-___ (3)
Starts with R, ends with MROM→
42A
It’s not a good look (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSNEER→
43A
Where Homer downs Duffs (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMOES→
44A
Hand, on a hacienda (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMANO→
45A
Ballerina’s garb (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTUTU→
46A
1 on the Mohs scale (4)
Starts with T, ends with CTALC→
47A
Off the plate, perhaps (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEATEN→
48A
Blog feed letters (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRSS→
49A
“Psych!” (or what the initials of three funny people in this puzzle mean, fittingly) (11)
Starts with J, ends with GJUSTKIDDING→
51A
They’re well-grounded (one hopes!) (7)
Starts with O, ends with SOUTLETS→
53A
What an unwelcome guest might be shown (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTHEDOOR→
54A
Dojo doings (6)
Starts with K, ends with EKARATE→
55A
Charged particle (3)
Starts with I, ends with NION→
56A
Busy season on la Côte d’Azur (3)
Starts with E, ends with EETE→
57A
Paris’s ___ Palace (6)
Starts with E, ends with EELYSEE→
58A
They spin longer than singles (3)
Starts with E, ends with SEPS→
59A
Costa ___ Sol (3)
Starts with D, ends with LDEL→
Down
1D
Bennie’s backup singers, in an Elton John song (7)
Starts with T, ends with STHEJETS→
2D
Biblical land west of the River Jordan (7)
Starts with G, ends with EGALILEE→
3D
Self-ish George Harrison song (7)
Starts with I, ends with EIMEMINE→
4D
Approves (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOKAYS→
5D
Pepto-Bismol hue (4)
Starts with P, ends with KPINK→
6D
Like the Onion’s journalism (7)
Starts with S, ends with CSATIRIC→
7D
Sixth-grader, typically (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTWEEN→
8D
Recuperate (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHEAL→
9D
Zodiac animal (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
10D
Snobby attitude (7)
Starts with E, ends with MELITISM→
11D
Hawks’ home (7)
Starts with A, ends with AATLANTA→
12D
Chicago’s “Cloud Gate” sculpture, familiarly (7)
Starts with T, ends with NTHEBEAN→
17D
Hurdle for a would-be M.B.A. (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGMAT→
18D
Condescending look (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSMIRK→
24D
Hourly rate (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWAGE→
26D
Job to do (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTASK→
27D
Contented rumble (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPURR→
29D
Heckle (4)
Starts with J, ends with RJEER→
30D
Many campaign promises (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLIES→
33D
Basic canoeing technique (7)
Starts with J, ends with EJSTROKE→
35D
“Why don’t we give it a shot?” (7)
Starts with L, ends with YLETSTRY→
36D
Gather (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAMASS→
37D
Charger unit (4)
Starts with V, ends with TVOLT→
38D
Suit supplement (7)
Starts with N, ends with ENECKTIE→
39D
Like a post with vastly more critical comments than likes or shares (7)
Starts with R, ends with DRATIOED→
40D
Lacking in variety (7)
Starts with O, ends with EONENOTE→
41D
Kennel club reject (7)
Starts with M, ends with LMONGREL→
44D
Org. that makes PSAs for safe rides home (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMADD→
46D
Student in a class of her own? (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETUTEE→
47D
Utopian settings (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEDENS→
49D
Juilliard jump (4)
Starts with J, ends with EJETE→
50D
Seller of Cinn-A-Stack pancakes (4)
Starts with I, ends with PIHOP→
52D
___ Vegas (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLAS→
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 25, 2026?+
74 clues: 38 Across and 36 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Daniel Hrynick and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Friday’s lead-in? (TGI); Word after black, covert or photo (OPS); Intimidating words (THREAT).
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.
