WSJ Crossword hints and answers for September 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
TitleThings Are Looking Up
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
Full of guile (4)
Starts with F, ends with YFOXY→
5A
Bit parts? (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGAGS→
9A
Miles per hour, e.g. (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORATIO→
14A
1973 French Open champ Nastase (4)
Starts with I, ends with EILIE→
15A
Openly state (4)
Starts with A, ends with WAVOW→
16A
Egg producer (5)
Starts with O, ends with YOVARY→
17A
Celebrated Southern chef Lewis (4)
Starts with E, ends with AEDNA→
18A
“State Fair” setting (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOWA→
19A
Ring around a watch face (5)
Starts with B, ends with LBEZEL→
20A
Magnet for controversy (12)
Starts with L, ends with DLIGHTNINGROD→
23A
Sought-after (7)
Starts with D, ends with DDESIRED→
24A
Animated greetings, often (6)
Starts with E, ends with SECARDS→
28A
Playfully pick on (3)
Starts with K, ends with DKID→
29A
Eight, to Augustus (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOCTO→
31A
Deposit in some banks (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
32A
Important acid type (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMINO→
35A
A+ student (9)
Starts with S, ends with LSTARPUPIL→
37A
Brother of Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTITO→
38A
Having a faraway dreamy look (5)
Starts with M, ends with YMOONY→
39A
Campbell of “Scream” (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENEVE→
40A
Rainbow-colored treats (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSNOWCONES→
42A
Acclivities (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRISES→
43A
Academic extension (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
44A
Flight records (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLOGS→
45A
Close-mouthed (3)
Starts with M, ends with MMUM→
46A
2022 World Series champs (6)
Starts with A, ends with SASTROS→
48A
Overcome, as an upsetting experience (7)
Starts with G, ends with TGETPAST→
52A
Spy satellites, and a hint to 20-, 35- and 40-Across, given their second halves (12)
Starts with E, ends with YEYESINTHESKY→
55A
Somewhat (5)
Starts with Q, ends with IQUASI→
58A
Ammonia feature (4)
Starts with O, ends with RODOR→
59A
Redecorate (4)
Starts with D, ends with PDOUP→
60A
Bolt with speed (5)
Starts with U, ends with NUSAIN→
61A
Exclusion anxiety, briefly (4)
Starts with F, ends with OFOMO→
62A
Gendered suffix (4)
Starts with E, ends with EENNE→
63A
What you might go out with (5)
Starts with A, ends with GABANG→
64A
Bass line? (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALES→
65A
Hockey fake-out (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDEKE→
Down
1D
Catch flies, say (5)
Starts with F, ends with DFIELD→
2D
“My Girl,” e.g. (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLDIE→
3D
Places for peds (5)
Starts with X, ends with SXINGS→
4D
“So you’ve said” (9)
Starts with Y, ends with WYEAHIKNOW→
5D
Made headway (6)
Starts with G, ends with DGAINED→
6D
Duck, say (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAVOID→
7D
Promgoer’s purchase (4)
Starts with G, ends with NGOWN→
8D
Gala giveaway (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSWAG→
9D
Titular 1987 cyborg (7)
Starts with R, ends with PROBOCOP→
10D
Vegan cosmetics brand (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAVEDA→
11D
Whirling Looney Tunes character, for short (3)
Starts with T, ends with ZTAZ→
12D
Seething state (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIRE→
13D
Olive with a skinny shape (3)
Starts with O, ends with LOYL→
21D
Rush, e.g. (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTRIO→
22D
Take another crack at (5)
Starts with R, ends with YRETRY→
25D
Ring borders (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROPES→
26D
Ambition (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDRIVE→
27D
French Open champ of 1990, 1991 and 1992 (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSELES→
29D
Some native Nebraskans (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOTOES→
30D
Recycling bin items (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCANS→
32D
Befuddled (5)
Starts with A, ends with AATSEA→
33D
Pays attention to (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMINDS→
34D
Words after slug, spit or sweat (5)
Starts with I, ends with TITOUT→
35D
“My Girl,” e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSONG→
36D
Like an aerial view (9)
Starts with U, ends with DUNIMPEDED→
38D
Cause of hundreds of collisions in Alaska annually (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMOOSE→
41D
Sickly sweet (7)
Starts with C, ends with GCLOYING→
42D
Namesake of baseball’s postseason MVP award (4)
Starts with R, ends with HRUTH→
45D
Chevy subcompacts discontinued in 2001 (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMETROS→
47D
Sticky stuff (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRESIN→
48D
Garden figure (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGNOME→
49D
United (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASONE→
50D
Real stinker (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSKUNK→
51D
Melville’s first novel (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETYPEE→
53D
Remote location, perhaps (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASOFA→
54D
Revered one (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
55D
Sine ___ non (3)
Starts with Q, ends with AQUA→
56D
Charger standard (3)
Starts with U, ends with BUSB→
57D
Help for some breakdown sufferers (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAAA→
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 September 16, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Jackson Musker and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Full of guile (FOXY); Bit parts? (GAGS); Miles per hour, e.g. (RATIO).
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.
