WSJ Crossword hints and answers for July 9, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues69
Across34
Down35
TitleDress Code
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
Defendant’s out (5)
Starts with A, ends with IALIBI→
6A
Become inedible, in a way (3)
Starts with R, ends with TROT→
9A
Person who really tries (5)
Starts with J, ends with EJUDGE→
14A
Exploding stars (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNOVAS→
15A
End of a valedictorian’s address (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
16A
Cutting it can cause a tear (5)
Starts with O, ends with NONION→
17A
Waving a flag with light blue, pink and white stripes, say (5)
Starts with T, ends with STRANS→
18A
Male delivery (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSON→
19A
Key of Chopin’s “Butterfly” étude (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGFLAT→
20A
Presidential event whose dress code is visually suggested by this puzzle (13)
Starts with I, ends with LINAUGURALBALL→
23A
Beginner, in gamer slang (4)
Starts with N, ends with BNEWB→
24A
“Cornflake Girl” singer Amos (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITORI→
25A
Movie event whose dress code is visually suggested by this puzzle (13)
Starts with A, ends with SACADEMYAWARDS→
30A
Losing score in some World Cup matches (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNIL→
31A
Sister’s daughter (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENIECE→
32A
Symbol of Athena (3)
Starts with O, ends with LOWL→
34A
Pique condition? (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIRE→
35A
Helium’s atomic number (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTWO→
36A
Blue period? (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWOE→
37A
Spy org. (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACIA→
38A
Rouen refusal (3)
Starts with N, ends with NNON→
39A
2013 Spike Jonze film (3)
Starts with H, ends with RHER→
40A
Fielder’s challenge (3)
Starts with H, ends with PHOP→
43A
Nine-digit ID (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
44A
Noted time period (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
45A
Site of Bolivia’s supreme court (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESUCRE→
47A
Lord’s Prayer possessive (3)
Starts with T, ends with YTHY→
48A
Diplomatic event whose dress code is visually suggested by this puzzle (11)
Starts with S, ends with RSTATEDINNER→
53A
Used a situation to one’s advantage (7)
Starts with M, ends with YMADEHAY→
55A
Watch closely (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSTAREAT→
58A
Music event whose dress code is visually suggested by this puzzle (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGRAMMYS→
59A
Fundraising event whose dress code is visually suggested by this puzzle (7)
Starts with M, ends with AMETGALA→
60A
Calls over the internet, in the past (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSKYPES→
61A
Lodging house guest (6)
Starts with R, ends with RROOMER→
Down
1D
Picnic pest (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
2D
Greiner of “Shark Tank” (4)
Starts with L, ends with ILORI→
3D
Cardinals catcher Herrera (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIVAN→
4D
High-potassium snack (6)
Starts with B, ends with ABANANA→
5D
Released, as an official warning (6)
Starts with I, ends with DISSUED→
6D
Revise and ___ (part of a writer’s process) (8)
Starts with R, ends with TRESUBMIT→
7D
It might be fishy (4)
Starts with O, ends with RODOR→
8D
Tex-Mex seafood offering (8)
Starts with T, ends with OTUNATACO→
9D
Support for a runner (6)
Starts with J, ends with AJOGBRA→
10D
Inequitable (6)
Starts with U, ends with RUNFAIR→
11D
Pickling seasoning (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDILL→
12D
Loooong cry at a soccer match (4)
Starts with G, ends with LGOAL→
13D
Sinus doc (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
21D
“Hollaback Girl” singer Stefani (4)
Starts with G, ends with NGWEN→
22D
Hardware store founder Lucius (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELOWE→
25D
Having better circulation (6)
Starts with A, ends with RAIRIER→
26D
Plainly apparent (10)
Starts with C, ends with YCLEARASDAY→
27D
Wood for archery bows (3)
Starts with Y, ends with WYEW→
28D
Rafter’s heading (10)
Starts with D, ends with MDOWNSTREAM→
29D
Logo on every current MLB jersey (6)
Starts with S, ends with HSWOOSH→
30D
Specialized market (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENICHE→
33D
Rocker Kravitz (5)
Starts with L, ends with YLENNY→
40D
Some military choppers (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHUEYS→
41D
Repetitive behavior condition, for short (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOCD→
42D
Spectrum producer (5)
Starts with P, ends with MPRISM→
45D
Hangs around (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTAYS→
46D
Keypad key (5)
Starts with E, ends with RENTER→
49D
Office sub (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTEMP→
50D
Weary sigh (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAHME→
51D
Western alliance since 1949 (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONATO→
52D
That being the case (4)
Starts with E, ends with OERGO→
53D
Booker T. & the ___ (“Time Is Tight” band) (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMGS→
54D
Genesis vessel (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
56D
Trappist product (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
57D
Pitch relative (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
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 9, 2026?+
69 clues: 34 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Sam Koperwas & Jeff Chen and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Defendant’s out (ALIBI); Become inedible, in a way (ROT); Person who really tries (JUDGE).
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.
