WSJ Crossword hints and answers for September 23, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across37
Down37
TitleHeightened Awareness
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
Grand celebration (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBASH→
5A
Something people get on their birthdays (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROLDER→
10A
Do a quizmaster’s job (3)
Starts with A, ends with KASK→
13A
Hilton rival (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
14A
Simple question (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGIMME→
15A
Dashed off (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRAN→
16A
Bird in hieroglyphics (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIBIS→
17A
Ready already (6)
Starts with P, ends with TPRESET→
18A
Sydney sophs’ school (3)
Starts with U, ends with IUNI→
19A
Shed light on secret truths, literally (8)
Starts with L, ends with VLIFTTHEV→
21A
Scold harshly (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRAILAT→
23A
River crossing site (4)
Starts with F, ends with DFORD→
24A
Complain angrily, literally (7)
Starts with R, ends with SRAISEAS→
25A
They might collapse under pressure (11)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRESSBALLS→
28A
“Toodle-oo!” (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASEEYA→
29A
Start for liner or ship (4)
Starts with H, ends with DHARD→
30A
Enslaved princess in an 1871 work (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAIDA→
34A
Orders at the restaurant (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHAS→
35A
Like many summer shoes (7)
Starts with T, ends with STOELESS→
38A
Denial from Dumas (3)
Starts with N, ends with NNON→
39A
CPR pros (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEMTS→
41A
Mountain crossing site (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPASS→
42A
Follow, as advice (5)
Starts with A, ends with NACTON→
44A
Gladden, literally (11)
Starts with E, ends with MELEVATETHEM→
47A
Like an asymmetric triangle (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESCALENE→
50A
Glum drop (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTEAR→
51A
Reservations (6)
Starts with Q, ends with SQUALMS→
52A
Real swinger (8)
Starts with P, ends with MPENDULUM→
56A
Decorative vase (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
57A
Make riskier, literally (6)
Starts with U, ends with AUPTHEA→
59A
Onetime “Sign of Good Taste” advertiser (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECOKE→
60A
Tuition reducer (3)
Starts with A, ends with DAID→
61A
Spur’s spiked wheel (5)
Starts with R, ends with LROWEL→
62A
Foil alternative (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEPEE→
63A
Pasture coating (3)
Starts with D, ends with WDEW→
64A
Puts away (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTOWS→
65A
Staycation goal (4)
Starts with R, ends with TREST→
Down
1D
Be hopping mad (4)
Starts with B, ends with LBOIL→
2D
Both, in combinations (4)
Starts with A, ends with IAMBI→
3D
Reality check, figuratively (9)
Starts with S, ends with TSNIFFTEST→
4D
“The sum total of things that could have been avoided,” per Adenauer (7)
Starts with H, ends with YHISTORY→
5D
Fantasy baddie (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOGRE→
6D
Schreiber of “Ray Donovan” (4)
Starts with L, ends with VLIEV→
7D
Slides into an Insta chat (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDMS→
8D
55th anniversary gifts (8)
Starts with E, ends with SEMERALDS→
9D
Store business (6)
Starts with R, ends with LRETAIL→
10D
As ___ (typically) (5)
Starts with A, ends with EARULE→
11D
Capital about 90 miles from the Red Sea (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASANAA→
12D
Gentle cycle garments (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKNITS→
17D
Professorial degs. (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPHDS→
20D
Pay another’s way (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTREAT→
22D
Rae in movies (4)
Starts with I, ends with AISSA→
24D
Most valuable, maybe (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRAREST→
25D
Clothes line (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSEAM→
26D
Make a bundle (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESHEAVE→
27D
Hobby wood (5)
Starts with B, ends with ABALSA→
28D
Miss identification (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
31D
Stick one’s nose in where it doesn’t belong (9)
Starts with I, ends with EINTERLOPE→
32D
Tragic fate (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDOOM→
33D
“Some Bright Nowhere” author Packer (3)
Starts with A, ends with NANN→
36D
Workforce vacancy (8)
Starts with O, ends with TOPENSPOT→
37D
Stuffed to the gills (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSATED→
40D
Broker’s suggestion (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSELL→
43D
“The Reeve’s Tale” writer (7)
Starts with C, ends with RCHAUCER→
45D
Madagascar mammals (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLEMURS→
46D
Mount near Messina (4)
Starts with E, ends with AETNA→
47D
Platoon subunit (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSQUAD→
48D
Namesake of the element with atomic number 96 (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECURIE→
49D
Barq’s rival (5)
Starts with A, ends with WAANDW→
52D
“That was close!” (4)
Starts with P, ends with WPHEW→
53D
Sinuous swimmers (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
54D
Luau instruments (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUKES→
55D
Rendezvous (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMEET→
58D
First prime (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTWO→
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 23, 2026?+
74 clues: 37 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Joseph Gangi and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Grand celebration (BASH); Something people get on their birthdays (OLDER); Do a quizmaster’s job (ASK).
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.
