CIA forerunner

Latest answer — September 11, 2026

18 Across

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Clue explained

OSS stands for the Office of Strategic Services, the U.S. intelligence agency that operated during World War II and preceded the CIA. Thus it is the CIA’s historical forerunner.

Clue type:
Abbreviation
Historical World War II personnel associated with the Office of Strategic Services

Eugene Sheffer Crossword

This clue's Friday, September 11, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1“Tracker” airer
  2. 4Hogwash
  3. 7Tickle
  4. 12Metal source
  5. 13Outback bird
  6. 14Suggest
  7. 15Scamper
  8. 16Lily plants
  9. 18CIA forerunner
  10. 19Leveling wedges
  11. 20Not us
  12. 22“Blonde” actress -- de Armas
  13. 23Forehead
  14. 27Hostel
  15. 29Actress Tomei
  16. 31Incites
  17. 34Patio stone
  18. 35“My All” singer Carey
  19. 37Journey part
  20. 38Greek god of war
  21. 39Pie -- mode
  22. 41Goalie’s goal
  23. 45Strapped for cash
  24. 47Young fellow
  25. 48Tenderizing sauces
  26. 52Greek mountain
  27. 53Old marketplace
  28. 54Economic stat
  29. 55Committee pro --
  30. 56Chart anew
  31. 57Daybreak goddess
  32. 58Hosp. areas

Down

  1. 1French landscape painter
  2. 2Tooth cleaner
  3. 3Feel
  4. 4Sleep phenomena
  5. 5Certain Nebraskan
  6. 6Shroud city
  7. 7iPhone downloads
  8. 8Cattle call
  9. 9Constitution letters
  10. 10“Diamonds” singer
  11. 11UFO fliers
  12. 17Mosque leader
  13. 21Calf-length skirts
  14. 23Is boastful
  15. 24Body of water (Abbr.)
  16. 25Sugar suffix
  17. 26Kids’ card game
  18. 28Intelligence org.
  19. 30Chest-beating beast
  20. 31“Today” rival, briefly
  21. 32Galley item
  22. 33“What -- you doing?”
  23. 36“Funny!”
  24. 37Rio Grande city
  25. 40Skier’s hangout
  26. 42Justice Samuel
  27. 43“Star Wars” baddie
  28. 44Dutch cheeses
  29. 45Crisp cookie
  30. 46Recipe amts.
  31. 48Deface
  32. 49Bio stat
  33. 50Computer acronym
  34. 51Glass of public radio

The answer to “CIA forerunner” in the Eugene Sheffer crossword is OSS — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Eugene Sheffer crossword on September 11, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 18-Across, and it has also run on 1 earlier date with the same answer. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“CIA forerunner” answer

OSS (3 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is OSS.

When else has “CIA forerunner” appeared?

Eugene Sheffer reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “CIA forerunner”?

The answer is OSS, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Eugene Sheffer crossword on September 11, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “CIA forerunner”?

3 letters: OSS.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the Eugene Sheffer crossword on September 11, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 18-Across. Earlier appearances: August 21, 2026 → OSS.

Can “CIA forerunner” have a different answer?

Yes — Eugene Sheffer sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Eugene Sheffer answers?

The full grid for September 11, 2026 is on the Eugene Sheffer answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

Eugene Sheffer Crossword is published by King Features Syndicate; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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