WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 5, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
TitleThings Acquired
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
Hard to lift (5)
Starts with H, ends with YHEAVY→
6A
Folkie Joan (4)
Starts with B, ends with ZBAEZ→
10A
Light fog (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMIST→
14A
Bellybutton fit for a body shot (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINNIE→
15A
Bone from the elbow to the wrist (4)
Starts with U, ends with AULNA→
16A
“Ah, makes sense” (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISEE→
17A
Burlap bag in a fun race (10)
Starts with P, ends with KPOTATOSACK→
19A
Tartan-wearing group (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCLAN→
20A
Speed down a slope (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISKI→
21A
Soft-pop vocalist Vannelli (4)
Starts with G, ends with OGINO→
22A
“Give it ___!” (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAREST→
23A
Ladle with a lever (13)
Starts with I, ends with PICECREAMSCOOP→
27A
Word before Fox or Rabbit in stories (4)
Starts with B, ends with RBRER→
29A
Dandyish dude (3)
Starts with F, ends with PFOP→
31A
Davis of “Do the Right Thing” (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOSSIE→
34A
Twosome (3)
Starts with D, ends with ODUO→
35A
Luxe hotel chain (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
36A
40A
Jane of Gothic literature (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEYRE→
41A
Take to court (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESUE→
42A
Fruit of the Loom rival (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHANES→
43A
“The Chi” network, for short (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSHO→
44A
Gender prefix (3)
Starts with C, ends with SCIS→
45A
Feeble, as an excuse (4)
Starts with W, ends with KWEAK→
47A
Up-and-down passageway (13)
Starts with E, ends with TELEVATORSHAFT→
52A
Rams defensive end Garrett (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMYLES→
53A
Bristol bloke (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBRIT→
54A
“So that’s it!” (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAHA→
56A
Comparable (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAKIN→
57A
Genre for Robert Johnson and Charley Patton (10)
Starts with D, ends with SDELTABLUES→
60A
Anchovy holders (4)
Starts with T, ends with STINS→
61A
Soothing succulent (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
62A
Contents of some cabinets (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFILES→
63A
Boldly innovative (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDGY→
64A
Sites of winding rds. (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMTNS→
65A
“Understand?” (or what one can do with the ends of 17-, 23-, 36-, 47- and 57-Across) (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGETIT→
Down
1D
Squats strengthen them (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHIPS→
2D
Slender-stemmed mushroom (5)
Starts with E, ends with IENOKI→
3D
Bit of amusing behavior (5)
Starts with A, ends with CANTIC→
4D
By way of (3)
Starts with V, ends with AVIA→
5D
Nonetheless (3)
Starts with Y, ends with TYET→
6D
More pressed for time (6)
Starts with B, ends with RBUSIER→
7D
Haim of “One Battle After Another” (5)
Starts with A, ends with AALANA→
8D
Speech of praise (8)
Starts with E, ends with MENCOMIUM→
9D
Nationals pitcher Kent (3)
Starts with Z, ends with KZAK→
10D
Really small (5)
Starts with M, ends with OMICRO→
11D
It’s between England and Ireland (9)
Starts with I, ends with NISLEOFMAN→
12D
Animal of the phylum Porifera (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESEASPONGE→
13D
Campout structure (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTENT→
18D
Fiend in a fairy tale (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOGRE→
22D
Cry of frustration (3)
Starts with A, ends with KACK→
24D
Two-wheeler with a battery (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEBIKE→
25D
Behind-the-scenes staff (4)
Starts with C, ends with WCREW→
26D
Gin-flavoring fruit (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESLOE→
30D
Bakery buys (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPIES→
31D
Honors conferred by King Charles, for short (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOBES→
32D
Willie Mays nickname (9)
Starts with S, ends with DSAYHEYKID→
33D
Habit that’s all thumbs? (9)
Starts with S, ends with GSCROLLING→
34D
Five-star gen. who became president (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDDE→
35D
Honshu city (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOSAKA→
37D
Honshu’s continent (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
38D
Area with many derelict factories (8)
Starts with R, ends with TRUSTBELT→
39D
Onetime ruler of Iran (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSHAH→
44D
Walgreens rival (3)
Starts with C, ends with SCVS→
45D
Puts down on paper (6)
Starts with W, ends with SWRITES→
46D
“___ bien!” (Spanish “All right!”) (4)
Starts with E, ends with AESTA→
48D
Minuscule (5)
Starts with E, ends with YEENSY→
49D
Synthetic fiber (5)
Starts with O, ends with NORLON→
50D
Site of some seismic activity (5)
Starts with F, ends with TFAULT→
51D
“Of ___ Sing” (children’s book by Barack Obama) (5)
Starts with T, ends with ITHEEI→
52D
Chess ender (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMATE→
55D
Helper: Abbr. (4)
Starts with A, ends with TASST→
57D
Flow stopper (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDAM→
58D
2016 Spielberg movie, with “The” (3)
Starts with B, ends with GBFG→
59D
Untruth (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELIE→
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 5, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Gary Cee and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Hard to lift (HEAVY); Folkie Joan (BAEZ); Light fog (MIST).
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.
