WSJ Crossword hints and answers for May 18, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across35
Down39
TitleCraft Show
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
Fezzes and fedoras (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHATS→
5A
Ravine (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGORGE→
10A
Place for a figurehead (4)
Starts with P, ends with WPROW→
14A
Jacob’s twin (4)
Starts with E, ends with UESAU→
15A
Bird-based (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAVIAN→
16A
Item in a tackle box (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELURE→
17A
Strap for a rider (4)
Starts with R, ends with NREIN→
18A
On the up and up (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLEGIT→
19A
Skeptical snort (4)
Starts with I, ends with TIBET→
20A
For-profit company that meets social and environmental standards (12)
Starts with B, ends with NBCORPORATION→
23A
Conditions (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIFS→
24A
Most adorable (6)
Starts with C, ends with TCUTEST→
28A
Michigan Wolverines football coach from 1969 to 1989 (14)
Starts with B, ends with RBOSCHEMBECHLER→
33A
Centers (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCORES→
34A
Strap for a walker (5)
Starts with L, ends with HLEASH→
35A
Peg on a course (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETEE→
36A
Curtain holders (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRODS→
37A
Kilmer of “Willow” (3)
Starts with V, ends with LVAL→
38A
Statistics figure (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMODE→
39A
Tad Lincoln’s dad (3)
Starts with A, ends with EABE→
40A
Designer Geoffrey (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBEENE→
42A
Dog-___ (like some book pages) (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEARED→
43A
Anaconda’s kin (14)
Starts with B, ends with RBOACONSTRICTOR→
46A
“See ya!” (6)
Starts with S, ends with GSOLONG→
47A
GE acquisition of 1986 (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARCA→
48A
Shipyard doings, and a hint to this puzzle’s theme (12)
Starts with B, ends with GBOATBUILDING→
55A
Titan of industry (4)
Starts with C, ends with RCZAR→
58A
Hired thugs (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGOONS→
60A
Wife of Zeus (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHERA→
61A
Undermine (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERODE→
62A
Capital of Italia (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROMA→
63A
Printers’ buys (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINKS→
64A
Trade expo presentations (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDEMOS→
65A
Winter glider (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSLED→
Down
1D
Tarragon or thyme (4)
Starts with H, ends with BHERB→
2D
“Hold on ___!” (4)
Starts with A, ends with CASEC→
3D
“Break Your Heart” singer Cruz (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTAIO→
4D
Offerings from Aurora (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSUNRISES→
5D
Rubber (6)
Starts with G, ends with HGALOSH→
6D
Finished (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
7D
Latvia’s capital (4)
Starts with R, ends with ARIGA→
8D
Way of walking (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGAIT→
9D
Dangles a carrot in front of (7)
Starts with E, ends with SENTICES→
10D
Base for a statue (6)
Starts with P, ends with HPLINTH→
11D
Massage (3)
Starts with R, ends with BRUB→
12D
Mine cart fill (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
13D
Like monsoon season (3)
Starts with W, ends with TWET→
21D
One-stripers in the USMC (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPFCS→
22D
Pained cry (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOUCH→
25D
Opponent for 38-Down, in Spain (6)
Starts with E, ends with OELTORO→
26D
Farm machine (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSEEDER→
27D
Trapped, in a way (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTREED→
28D
Minor mistake (6)
Starts with B, ends with OBOOBOO→
29D
Tribulation (6)
Starts with O, ends with LORDEAL→
30D
Some toymakers (5)
Starts with E, ends with SELVES→
31D
Intended (5)
Starts with M, ends with TMEANT→
32D
Farm machine (5)
Starts with B, ends with RBALER→
33D
Beach scurriers (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCRABS→
38D
Wavers of capes (8)
Starts with M, ends with SMATADORS→
40D
U2 frontman (4)
Starts with B, ends with OBONO→
41D
Wearing a ring, maybe (7)
Starts with E, ends with DENGAGED→
42D
O.T. book after Proverbs (4)
Starts with E, ends with LECCL→
44D
Hooded snakes (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCOBRAS→
45D
Subject of some Van Gogh paintings (6)
Starts with I, ends with SIRISES→
49D
Ripped (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETORE→
50D
Explosive sound (4)
Starts with B, ends with MBOOM→
51D
Edit menu option (4)
Starts with U, ends with OUNDO→
52D
Person on a pedestal (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
53D
Alaskan city (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOME→
54D
Mortarboard flinger (4)
Starts with G, ends with DGRAD→
55D
X in Greece (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICHI→
56D
Buddhist discipline (3)
Starts with Z, ends with NZEN→
57D
Vessel not made in a shipyard (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
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 May 18, 2026?+
74 clues: 35 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: Fezzes and fedoras (HATS); Ravine (GORGE); Place for a figurehead (PROW).
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.
