WSJ Crossword hints and answers for May 21, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across39
Down35
TitleI Could Go Either Way
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
Col.’s subordinate (3)
Starts with M, ends with JMAJ→
4A
Decide that you will (5)
Starts with O, ends with OOPTTO→
9A
“Groovy!” (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONEATO→
14A
Character voiced by Hank Azaria until 2017 (3)
Starts with A, ends with UAPU→
15A
“Black Doves” star Knightley (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKEIRA→
16A
Name that replaced Jersey Standard in 1972 (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEXXON→
17A
Lay the criticism on thick (9)
Starts with D, ends with TDISHITOUT→
19A
Avignon’s western edge (5)
Starts with R, ends with ERHONE→
20A
Fixes, as shoelaces (6)
Starts with R, ends with SRETIES→
21A
Action that might precede a brawl (7)
Starts with S, ends with GSHOVING→
23A
Litmus reddener (4)
Starts with A, ends with DACID→
24A
Opportunity to retire? (7)
Starts with P, ends with PPITSTOP→
26A
D.C. bigwig (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSEN→
27A
So-called “Island of the Gods” (4)
Starts with B, ends with IBALI→
28A
Facing the sky, perhaps (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESUPINE→
32A
Fort Worth sch. (3)
Starts with T, ends with UTCU→
34A
Online chats, for short (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIMS→
36A
Instrument named from the Persian for “three string” (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSITAR→
37A
“So long!” (5)
Starts with A, ends with SADIOS→
39A
Big brute (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAPE→
40A
Doctor’s orders (5)
Starts with T, ends with STESTS→
41A
Complete range (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGAMUT→
42A
Cavs, on a scoreboard (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECLE→
43A
Pocatello sch. (3)
Starts with I, ends with UISU→
44A
Food Network’s “Essence of ___” (6)
Starts with E, ends with LEMERIL→
46A
Tahoe runner (4)
Starts with I, ends with CIMAC→
48A
L.A. clock setting (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPST→
51A
In shorter supply (7)
Starts with S, ends with RSCARCER→
53A
Riboflavin, alternatively (4)
Starts with B, ends with OBTWO→
54A
Russian opposition leader Navalny (7)
Starts with A, ends with IALEKSEI→
56A
Skin care product derived from bird fat (6)
Starts with E, ends with LEMUOIL→
58A
Graph gradient (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESLOPE→
59A
Court worker’s machine (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESTENOTYPE→
61A
Eye-defying works (5)
Starts with O, ends with TOPART→
62A
Britney’s duet partner on “Hold Me Closer” (5)
Starts with E, ends with NELTON→
63A
Ref. with more than 500,000 entries (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOED→
64A
Bygone birds (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDODOS→
65A
Tombstone name (5)
Starts with W, ends with TWYATT→
66A
“For the people who serve” org. (3)
Starts with U, ends with OUSO→
Down
1D
Strong cotton fabric (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMADRAS→
2D
Individually (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAPIECE→
3D
Without a moment to spare (10)
Starts with J, ends with EJUSTINTIME→
4D
“The Grapes of Wrath” figure (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOKIE→
5D
Place for a pawdicure (6)
Starts with P, ends with APETSPA→
6D
Uruguayan uncle (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTIO→
7D
Believe without reservation (15)
Starts with T, ends with YTRUSTIMPLICITLY→
8D
They may be minced (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOATHS→
9D
Bad trait for a poker player (10)
Starts with N, ends with CNERVOUSTIC→
10D
Boomers with bell-bottoms in the back of the closet, maybe (9)
Starts with E, ends with SEXHIPPIES→
11D
Neural transmitter (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAXON→
12D
Asian secret society (4)
Starts with T, ends with GTONG→
13D
Bit of binary code (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
18D
Lay low (3)
Starts with H, ends with DHID→
22D
Fourth qtr. followers (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOTS→
25D
Hipbone-related (5)
Starts with I, ends with CILIAC→
27D
Greyhound boarding needs (10)
Starts with B, ends with SBUSTICKETS→
29D
“Isn’t my place to decide,” or, spoken aloud, a component of 3-, 7-, 9- and 27-Down (10)
Starts with I, ends with UITSUPTOYOU→
30D
Baseballer with a W on his cap (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNAT→
31D
Hesitant sounds (3)
Starts with E, ends with SERS→
33D
Swing teacher (9)
Starts with C, ends with OCOURSEPRO→
35D
Worrisome note on a quiz (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESEEME→
37D
Epoch division (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
38D
Spillway site (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDAM→
45D
“___ Mañanitas” (traditional Mexican birthday song) (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLAS→
47D
Schoolyard comeback (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARENOT→
49D
Takes the wrong way (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSWIPES→
50D
El Greco Museum setting (6)
Starts with T, ends with OTOLEDO→
52D
Mend a seam (5)
Starts with R, ends with WRESEW→
53D
On the other hand (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBUT→
54D
Purina brand (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALPO→
55D
Bridge engineer’s calculation (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLOAD→
57D
Blanc, par exemple (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMONT→
58D
Yard goods? (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSOD→
60D
Character from Euripides (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
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 21, 2026?+
74 clues: 39 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Jeff Stillman and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Col.’s subordinate (MAJ); Decide that you will (OPTTO); “Groovy!” (NEATO).
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.
