WSJ Crossword hints and answers for May 23, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues138
Across64
Down74
TitleDoling Out
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
Guy in charge, informally (7)
Starts with B, ends with NBOSSMAN→
8A
Ready to come home (6)
Starts with O, ends with EONBASE→
14A
Jahmyr of the Detroit Lions (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGIBBS→
19A
Chemistry pioneer Lavoisier (7)
Starts with A, ends with EANTOINE→
20A
Flourished (7)
Starts with B, ends with DBLOOMED→
21A
Ryan of “Barry Lyndon” (5)
Starts with O, ends with LONEAL→
22A
Doughy ball rescued from the trash? (15)
Starts with G, ends with GGARBAGEDUMPLING→
24A
Tureen accessory (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELADLE→
25A
Hotel register listing (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGUESTS→
26A
Invention’s origin (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
27A
Trade show presentation (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODEMO→
30A
When you’ll get in, briefly (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
31A
Memo abbr. (4)
Starts with A, ends with NATTN→
33A
Seeking strikes while steamed? (12)
Starts with C, ends with GCROSSBOWLING→
37A
Rotunda feature (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDOME→
39A
Carrot, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with TROOT→
41A
Cunning maneuvers (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPLOYS→
42A
In the past (4)
Starts with O, ends with EONCE→
43A
Urge on (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPROD→
45A
Talk trash about (6)
Starts with H, ends with NHATEON→
48A
Wise guys (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSAGES→
49A
Showing off one’s costume to one’s Belle-dressed partner? (13)
Starts with B, ends with GBEASTMODELING→
53A
Bill stamp (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPAID→
55A
Nationals, before 2005 (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEXPOS→
56A
2008 box set of Kiss songs (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIKONS→
57A
Had no worries (8)
Starts with F, ends with EFELTSAFE→
61A
Bus. sch. course (4)
Starts with E, ends with NECON→
62A
Experts: Var. (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMAVINS→
64A
Tiramisu dusting (5)
Starts with C, ends with ACOCOA→
66A
Preparation for state fair judging? (10)
Starts with P, ends with GPIGSTYLING→
68A
Roethlisberger throwing a long pass? (10)
Starts with B, ends with GBENHURLING→
70A
Saison au soleil (3)
Starts with E, ends with EETE→
71A
Passing handily (5)
Starts with A, ends with GACING→
72A
Made a touchdown (6)
Starts with L, ends with DLANDED→
73A
EDM DJ Steve (4)
Starts with A, ends with IAOKI→
74A
Maliciously altered photo (8)
Starts with D, ends with EDEEPFAKE→
76A
Thompson of the “Thor” films (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATESSA→
77A
Layer of cement? (5)
Starts with M, ends with NMASON→
78A
To be, to Balzac (4)
Starts with E, ends with EETRE→
79A
Extra in “The Birds”? (13)
Starts with M, ends with GMOVIESTARLING→
82A
Flight components (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEPS→
85A
Less trusting (6)
Starts with W, ends with RWARIER→
86A
“Frozen” sister (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELSA→
87A
Tailor’s aids (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPINS→
88A
Cologne containers (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVIALS→
90A
Notary’s mark (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSEAL→
92A
Many an Omani (4)
Starts with A, ends with BARAB→
96A
Notion in New Delhi? (12)
Starts with I, ends with GINDIAINKLING→
100A
Newspaper section (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARTS→
102A
Some cells (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOVA→
103A
“Huh-uh” (3)
Starts with N, ends with WNAW→
104A
Artemis org. (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANASA→
105A
Twisty creatures (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
107A
Raised with effort (6)
Starts with H, ends with DHEFTED→
109A
Filled with passion (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAFIRE→
111A
Warmth experienced when appearing onstage? (15)
Starts with E, ends with GENTRANCEFEELING→
115A
French film award (5)
Starts with C, ends with RCESAR→
116A
Avoided extinction, in a way (7)
Starts with A, ends with DADAPTED→
117A
Put in order (7)
Starts with A, ends with EARRANGE→
118A
Aardwolf’s kin (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHYENA→
119A
Outdoor clothing company named for a burrowing rodent (6)
Starts with M, ends with TMARMOT→
120A
More irritable (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTESTIER→
Down
1D
Like groceries on the way home (6)
Starts with B, ends with DBAGGED→
2D
Proceeding unthinkingly (6)
Starts with O, ends with OONAUTO→
3D
Watch on a phone, maybe (6)
Starts with S, ends with MSTREAM→
4D
Gives in to sorrow (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSOBS→
5D
Roadster with a Skyactiv engine (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMIATA→
6D
Hundred-millionth of a centimeter (8)
Starts with A, ends with MANGSTROM→
7D
Previously named (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
8D
Mesoamerican people on the Gulf of Mexico coast (5)
Starts with O, ends with COLMEC→
9D
Stock valuation phrase (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNOPAR→
10D
Neighbor of Arg. and Braz. (3)
Starts with B, ends with LBOL→
11D
Biarritz bestie (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAMI→
12D
Forwards (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSENDSON→
13D
Pass carefully (6)
Starts with E, ends with YEDGEBY→
14D
Stoop to smears and insults (5)
Starts with G, ends with WGOLOW→
15D
Words with pickle or jam (3)
Starts with I, ends with AINA→
16D
Brooklinen wares (7)
Starts with B, ends with GBEDDING→
17D
Account figure (7)
Starts with B, ends with EBALANCE→
18D
Arctic transports (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSLEDGES→
20D
Potential leaf (3)
Starts with B, ends with DBUD→
23D
Purple snorkasaurus of TV (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODINO→
28D
Cal. dozen (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMOS→
32D
Commotion (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTODO→
34D
Bids “one club,” say (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOPENS→
35D
Arduous ordeal (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSLOG→
36D
A bunch (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOADS→
38D
Some printers (6)
Starts with E, ends with SEPSONS→
40D
Graceland nickname (7)
Starts with T, ends with GTHEKING→
44D
Some QB protectors (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRTS→
46D
Beside (5)
Starts with A, ends with GALONG→
47D
Containers for mushy peas (4)
Starts with T, ends with STINS→
48D
Plucked instrument (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSITAR→
49D
Indicated successful locking with a key fob (6)
Starts with B, ends with DBEEPED→
50D
Stir up (6)
Starts with E, ends with EEXCITE→
51D
Elliptical orbit extreme (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAPOGEE→
52D
Dreamy (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDIVINE→
53D
Fruit from an Orléans orchard (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPECHE→
54D
One way to think (5)
Starts with A, ends with DALOUD→
57D
Henry, Jane and Peter, with a combined 12 Oscar nominations (6)
Starts with F, ends with SFONDAS→
58D
Melodic opera pieces (6)
Starts with A, ends with IARIOSI→
59D
Inform against, informally (6)
Starts with F, ends with NFINKON→
60D
Mischievous Halloween prank (6)
Starts with E, ends with GEGGING→
62D
“In ___” (song from the Beach Boys album “Still Cruisin’”) (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMYCAR→
63D
Matching (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALIKE→
64D
Sources of holy smokes (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCENSERS→
67D
White House residents of 1910 (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAFTS→
68D
Count of jazz (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBASIE→
69D
Yellow Teletubby (6)
Starts with L, ends with ALAALAA→
72D
Third son of Jacob and Leah (4)
Starts with L, ends with ILEVI→
75D
Sister brand of Gatorade (5)
Starts with P, ends with IPEPSI→
76D
Trunks (5)
Starts with T, ends with ITORSI→
77D
Fields of cookies? (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMRS→
79D
Hectic spot on Black Friday (4)
Starts with M, ends with LMALL→
81D
Rational, informally (8)
Starts with A, ends with EALLTHERE→
82D
Chicken Florentine ingredient (7)
Starts with S, ends with HSPINACH→
83D
“SNL” head writer from 1999 to 2006 (7)
Starts with T, ends with YTINAFEY→
84D
How sausage links are connected (7)
Starts with E, ends with EENDWISE→
85D
T’Challa’s realm (7)
Starts with W, ends with AWAKANDA→
88D
Through (3)
Starts with V, ends with AVIA→
89D
Jeans measurement (6)
Starts with I, ends with MINSEAM→
91D
Natural manner (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEASE→
93D
Twisty pasta (6)
Starts with R, ends with IROTINI→
94D
Get satisfaction for (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAVENGE→
95D
Animal on Wisconsin’s flag (6)
Starts with B, ends with RBADGER→
97D
“Echoes of ___” (1982 jazz album by Chaka Khan , Chick Corea and others) (5)
Starts with A, ends with AANERA→
98D
“Cool!” (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONEATO→
99D
“Our Lady of the Flowers” novelist (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGENET→
101D
Oracles (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSEERS→
106D
Screen type (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLCD→
108D
No longer fizzy (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFLAT→
110D
Hightailed it (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRAN→
112D
La Brea stuff (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
113D
Turning fig. (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRPM→
114D
Budget excess (3)
Starts with F, ends with TFAT→
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 23, 2026?+
138 clues: 64 Across and 74 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mike Shenk and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Guy in charge, informally (BOSSMAN); Ready to come home (ONBASE); Jahmyr of the Detroit Lions (GIBBS).
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.
