WSJ Crossword hints and answers for July 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
TitlePitch In
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
Make a muffler, maybe (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKNIT→
5A
End-of-week whoop (4)
Starts with T, ends with FTGIF→
9A
Stopper, and sometime popper (4)
Starts with C, ends with KCORK→
13A
Bolivian boy (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONINO→
14A
Dress hat that West Pointers call a “tarbucket” (5)
Starts with S, ends with OSHAKO→
15A
Soubrette’s song (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
16A
Grammy-winning 1997 Radiohead album (10)
Starts with O, ends with ROKCOMPUTER→
18A
Do a checkout chore (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSCAN→
19A
Portion of a football formation farthest from the tight end (8)
Starts with W, ends with EWEAKSIDE→
20A
With suspicion (6)
Starts with A, ends with TASKANT→
22A
Lyric tributes (4)
Starts with O, ends with SODES→
23A
Balm additive (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
24A
Knuckleheads (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDODOS→
26A
Soccer tiebreaker, sometimes (8)
Starts with S, ends with TSHOOTOUT→
30A
Colgate products? (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGRADS→
31A
Hang in there (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLAST→
32A
“My man!” (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
33A
Sewer scurriers (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRATS→
34A
Something a doting grandparent may make (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAFUSS→
36A
Swampy swaths (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBOGS→
37A
Score that beats nil (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
38A
Taiwanese tech company (4)
Starts with A, ends with RACER→
39A
Some clubs sing them (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGLEES→
40A
Quadrennial sports event (8)
Starts with W, ends with PWORLDCUP→
42A
Refinement (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCLASS→
43A
Big name in casual shirts (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIZOD→
44A
Guinness of “Star Wars” (4)
Starts with A, ends with CALEC→
45A
Attractive individual (6)
Starts with L, ends with RLOOKER→
48A
Most aerodynamic, maybe (8)
Starts with S, ends with TSLEEKEST→
52A
At some earlier time (4)
Starts with O, ends with EONCE→
53A
It’s sweet without the jolt (10)
Starts with D, ends with ADECAFMOCHA→
55A
___ Field (home of the Mets) (4)
Starts with C, ends with ICITI→
56A
They make the grade (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEXAMS→
57A
Three-time Masters winner Mickelson (4)
Starts with P, ends with LPHIL→
58A
Massage target (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKNOT→
59A
Trade show presentation (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODEMO→
60A
Overcharge, informally (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSOAK→
Down
1D
Fully grasp (4)
Starts with K, ends with WKNOW→
2D
Maker of many soccer jerseys (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENIKE→
3D
Peruvian builder (4)
Starts with I, ends with AINCA→
4D
Accepted a favorable bet (8)
Starts with T, ends with STOOKODDS→
5D
Clumsy landings (5)
Starts with T, ends with STHUDS→
6D
Boarding area (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGATE→
7D
1950s prez (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIKE→
8D
Bad way to be thrown (8)
Starts with F, ends with SFORALOSS→
9D
Daytime spot for Dracula (6)
Starts with C, ends with TCASKET→
10D
Oceanic predator (4)
Starts with O, ends with AORCA→
11D
“Knives Out” director Johnson (4)
Starts with R, ends with NRIAN→
12D
“Critique of Pure Reason” writer (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKANT→
14D
Dead drop users (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSPIES→
17D
Windows antecedent (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMSDOS→
21D
Chimney sweep’s target (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSOOT→
23D
Moments of clarity (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAHAS→
24D
Clog-clearing brand (5)
Starts with D, ends with ODRANO→
25D
Western, humorously (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROATER→
26D
Fine dining taboo (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSLURP→
27D
Some winds (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOBOES→
29D
Coin-based decider (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOSS→
30D
Make a gain (4)
Starts with G, ends with WGROW→
34D
Granted (8)
Starts with A, ends with DACCORDED→
35D
Plot element of “Romeo and Juliet” (4)
Starts with F, ends with DFEUD→
36D
Clandestine missions (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBLACKOPS→
38D
Wood-shaping tool (4)
Starts with A, ends with EADZE→
39D
Bygone toothpaste (5)
Starts with G, ends with MGLEEM→
41D
“This work for you?” (6)
Starts with L, ends with TLIKEIT→
42D
Staff leaders (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCLEFS→
44D
Memorable mission (5)
Starts with A, ends with OALAMO→
45D
Guaranteed win (4)
Starts with L, ends with KLOCK→
46D
“From here ___...” (4)
Starts with O, ends with NONIN→
47D
Eight, to Augustus (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOCTO→
48D
Racket (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSCAM→
49D
Canyon effect (4)
Starts with E, ends with OECHO→
50D
LaBeouf of “Eagle Eye” (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASHIA→
51D
Converse (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTALK→
54D
River through Devonshire (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEXE→
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 July 16, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mike Shenk and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Make a muffler, maybe (KNIT); End-of-week whoop (TGIF); Stopper, and sometime popper (CORK).
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.
