WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 18, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleHard Finishes
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
Ancient French people conquered by Julius Caesar (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGAULS→
6A
Strongly bitter (5)
Starts with A, ends with DACRID→
11A
“The butler ___ it” (3)
Starts with D, ends with DDID→
14A
Nixon’s first vice president (5)
Starts with A, ends with WAGNEW→
15A
Selected (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECHOSE→
16A
Ambient music’s Brian (3)
Starts with E, ends with OENO→
17A
Basil-based sauce (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPESTO→
18A
Geyser’s kin (9)
Starts with H, ends with GHOTSPRING→
20A
Holier-than-___ (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTHOU→
22A
Old eatery with food behind windows (7)
Starts with A, ends with TAUTOMAT→
23A
Stingy sort (10)
Starts with C, ends with ECHEAPSKATE→
27A
Mr. ___ (secret agent in 1930s movies) (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMOTO→
28A
Get better (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHEAL→
29A
Spice in pumpkin pie (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMACE→
30A
Batter in a classic poem (5)
Starts with C, ends with YCASEY→
32A
Shaker stuff (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSALT→
33A
Camel color (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTAN→
34A
Use a crowbar (3)
Starts with P, ends with YPRY→
35A
Clasp for a cravat (7)
Starts with T, ends with PTIECLIP→
37A
Gift-wrapping adornment (3)
Starts with B, ends with WBOW→
40A
Baseball’s Ripken (3)
Starts with C, ends with LCAL→
41A
A double play results in two (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOUTS→
42A
Gorilla, for example (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAPE→
43A
Eye-popping images (5)
Starts with O, ends with TOPART→
46A
___ sci (government study) (4)
Starts with P, ends with IPOLI→
47A
Spoken (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
48A
Smell sensor (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOSE→
49A
Buck (10)
Starts with D, ends with LDOLLARBILL→
51A
Essentially (7)
Starts with A, ends with TATHEART→
53A
Pecans and pistachios (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNUTS→
54A
Basketball hoop holder, and a feature of 18-, 23-, 35- and 49-Across (9)
Starts with B, ends with DBACKBOARD→
57A
Silences with the remote (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMUTES→
60A
Greek’s H (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
62A
Japanese port (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOSAKA→
63A
Cargo unit (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTON→
64A
Robustly muscular (5)
Starts with B, ends with YBEEFY→
65A
Stopwatch button (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRESET→
Down
1D
Opening (3)
Starts with G, ends with PGAP→
2D
Get older (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
3D
Wobbling (8)
Starts with U, ends with YUNSTEADY→
4D
Deadly (6)
Starts with L, ends with LLETHAL→
5D
Eagle’s attack move (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSWOOP→
6D
German exclamation (3)
Starts with A, ends with HACH→
7D
John of “Star Trek Beyond” (3)
Starts with C, ends with OCHO→
9D
Debate topic (5)
Starts with I, ends with EISSUE→
10D
Corp. division (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDEPT→
11D
Smaller of the two moons of Mars (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDEIMOS→
12D
Unlearned (6)
Starts with I, ends with EINNATE→
13D
Old tennis ball, maybe (6)
Starts with D, ends with YDOGTOY→
19D
Kind of bath or numeral (5)
Starts with R, ends with NROMAN→
21D
Label on a street-side box (6)
Starts with U, ends with LUSMAIL→
23D
British fellow (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCHAP→
24D
Recipient of the family fortune (4)
Starts with H, ends with RHEIR→
25D
Vitamin-rich salad green (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKALE→
26D
“Tamp down your enthusiasm” (7)
Starts with A, ends with LACTCOOL→
30D
Ballpark souvenirs (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCAPS→
32D
ERA or RBI, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSTAT→
33D
16th-century Venetian painter (6)
Starts with T, ends with NTITIAN→
36D
Temporary pause (4)
Starts with L, ends with LLULL→
37D
Macchiato makers (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBARISTAS→
38D
Shimmery gemstone (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOPAL→
39D
Water source (4)
Starts with W, ends with LWELL→
40D
Small stream (5)
Starts with C, ends with KCREEK→
43D
How money might be lost (6)
Starts with O, ends with TONABET→
44D
Chips source (6)
Starts with P, ends with OPOTATO→
45D
Depth charge, in military slang (6)
Starts with A, ends with NASHCAN→
46D
Thick soup (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPOTAGE→
47D
Dull-witted (6)
Starts with O, ends with EOBTUSE→
49D
Aerial coverage provider (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDRONE→
50D
Bit of gossip (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRUMOR→
52D
Rhyme scheme of “Purple Cow” (4)
Starts with A, ends with BABAB→
55D
Gridiron official, for short (3)
Starts with R, ends with FREF→
56D
Like the Dust Bowl (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDRY→
58D
Scratch (out) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEKE→
59D
Plopped down (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSAT→
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 October 18, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 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: Ancient French people conquered by Julius Caesar (GAULS); Strongly bitter (ACRID); “The butler ___ it” (DID).
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.
