WSJ Crossword hints and answers for May 27, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
TitleHardheaded
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
A couple of caplets, maybe (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDOSE→
5A
“___ unrelated note...” (4)
Starts with O, ends with NONAN→
9A
Alliance (4)
Starts with B, ends with CBLOC→
13A
Caribbean resort whose official languages are Papiamento and Dutch (5)
Starts with A, ends with AARUBA→
15A
Org. with the Large Hadron Collider (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCERN→
16A
Brontë heroine (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEYRE→
17A
Bicolor dessert (10)
Starts with M, ends with EMARBLECAKE→
19A
Scott in an 1857 case (4)
Starts with D, ends with DDRED→
20A
Small toymaker (3)
Starts with E, ends with FELF→
21A
Cremona violin crafter (5)
Starts with A, ends with IAMATI→
22A
White rabbit follower (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALICE→
23A
North American rattlesnakes (12)
Starts with D, ends with SDIAMONDBACKS→
25A
Midriff-revealing suit (6)
Starts with B, ends with IBIKINI→
28A
Longbow wood (3)
Starts with E, ends with MELM→
29A
Green land? (11)
Starts with E, ends with EEMERALDISLE→
33A
Monkey sidekick of Disney’s Aladdin (3)
Starts with A, ends with UABU→
36A
Packaging need (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETAPE→
37A
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve roamer (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEMU→
38A
Romanov ruler (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTSAR→
39A
Insincere display (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
40A
Artist awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 (11)
Starts with J, ends with SJASPERJOHNS→
45A
“Got it!” (6)
Starts with E, ends with AEUREKA→
46A
Movie pair in the Smithsonian (12)
Starts with R, ends with SRUBYSLIPPERS→
52A
Maladroit (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINEPT→
53A
Sagrada Família architect (5)
Starts with G, ends with IGAUDI→
54A
Used to be (3)
Starts with W, ends with SWAS→
57A
Location (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESITE→
58A
Difficult beginning, and a trait shared by 17-, 23-, 29-, 40- and 46-Across (10)
Starts with R, ends with TROCKYSTART→
60A
Words of disbelief (4)
Starts with E, ends with UETTU→
61A
Beginning for boy or girl (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
62A
Engineer Nikola (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATESLA→
64A
Forest floor growth (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMOSS→
65A
Crew call (4)
Starts with A, ends with YAHOY→
Down
1D
Agatha Christie title (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDAME→
2D
Challenging test (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
3D
Get on board? (4)
Starts with S, ends with FSURF→
4D
Diminish (3)
Starts with E, ends with BEBB→
5D
Philosophy’s William of ___ (5)
Starts with O, ends with MOCCAM→
6D
“Keen!” (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONEATO→
7D
Alan of “Little Miss Sunshine” (5)
Starts with A, ends with NARKIN→
8D
Austin-to-Waco dir. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENNE→
9D
Complete chaos (6)
Starts with B, ends with MBEDLAM→
10D
Hit bit (5)
Starts with L, ends with CLYRIC→
11D
Maker of Elevate vacuum cleaners (5)
Starts with O, ends with KORECK→
12D
Surrenders (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCEDES→
14D
“Road Less Traveled” singer Lauren (6)
Starts with A, ends with AALAINA→
18D
It can be written on a tablet (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEMAIL→
22D
Competent (4)
Starts with A, ends with EABLE→
23D
Acutely urgent (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDIRE→
24D
Penna. neighbor (3)
Starts with D, ends with LDEL→
25D
Type of test or decay (4)
Starts with B, ends with ABETA→
26D
Tech debut of 1998 (4)
Starts with I, ends with CIMAC→
27D
Held onto (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKEPT→
30D
___ Moines (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDES→
31D
Mischievous sort (3)
Starts with I, ends with PIMP→
32D
Orange ghost in Ms. Pac-Man (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESUE→
33D
Court figure Arthur (4)
Starts with A, ends with EASHE→
34D
The buck stops here (4)
Starts with B, ends with KBANK→
35D
Stargazer’s bear (4)
Starts with U, ends with AURSA→
38D
Craggy peaks (4)
Starts with T, ends with STORS→
41D
Music’s Rose (3)
Starts with A, ends with LAXL→
42D
Thin-toned (5)
Starts with R, ends with YREEDY→
43D
Court figure (6)
Starts with J, ends with TJURIST→
44D
Promote heavily (6)
Starts with H, ends with PHYPEUP→
46D
Makes like the mercury on a hot day (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRISES→
47D
Labor leader’s appeal (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUNITE→
48D
Davis with 11 Oscar nominations (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBETTE→
49D
“___ Extremes” (Billy Joel song) (5)
Starts with I, ends with OIGOTO→
50D
Diplomatic achievements (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPACTS→
51D
Spiral shells strung on bracelets (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPUKAS→
54D
It might be on the line (4)
Starts with W, ends with HWASH→
55D
He performed before Joan at Woodstock (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARLO→
56D
Wait around (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSTAY→
58D
Member of a flock (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
59D
Word with room or service (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
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 27, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Marc Goldstein and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: A couple of caplets, maybe (DOSE); “___ unrelated note...” (ONAN); Alliance (BLOC).
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.
