Creative solution

Latest answer — August 11, 2026

53 Across

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Clue explained

A HACK can be an ingenious or unconventional solution to a problem, especially a practical shortcut.

Clue type:
Definition
A practical improvised solution to an everyday problem

WaPo Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, August 11, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Colorful violet kin
  2. 6Suga and Jung Kook's band
  3. 9"__ the Cat": children's book series
  4. 13Give a speech
  5. 14Atty.'s title
  6. 15And others, in a bibliography
  7. 16Highly sensitive person
  8. 18Kitchen deputy
  9. 20Old Russian ruler
  10. 21Bothers greatly
  11. 23__-Wan Kenobi
  12. 24Thigh muscles, familiarly
  13. 26Exposes, in a way
  14. 28Treat that may be dipped in dulce de leche
  15. 30Indiana University basketball coach Moren
  16. 31Flexible
  17. 32Amusement park time-saver
  18. 36Former first lady Biden
  19. 37Winter migration direction
  20. 39Tried's partner
  21. 40"Hear me out ... "
  22. 42Woodwind section player
  23. 44Norse god of thunder
  24. 45Two-door cars
  25. 46Neaten
  26. 49Many shelter dogs
  27. 50Astonishment
  28. 51Soft drink brand with a "lymon" logo
  29. 53Creative solution
  30. 57Spinning toy
  31. 59"Are you serious?"
  32. 61"Let It Go" singer
  33. 62Genetic transcription molecule
  34. 63Thread holder
  35. 64Snow day ride
  36. 65Daughter's brother
  37. 66Canine command akin to "drop it"

Down

  1. 1Expert concerned with feet?
  2. 2Octopus octet
  3. 3Auto parts giant that shares a name with a California wine valley
  4. 4Aspiring actor's asset
  5. 5So far
  6. 6One-ups
  7. 7General __ chicken
  8. 8Trustworthy sort
  9. 9Delt neighbor
  10. 10Shared ideology
  11. 11Martial arts-based fitness regimen
  12. 12Like Santa's helpers
  13. 17Intensely shocking events
  14. 19One end of a maze
  15. 22Ruckus
  16. 25Spot where there's no trouble brewing?
  17. 27Peak physical condition, or a feature of 4-, 8-, and 17-Down
  18. 28Advertising award
  19. 29Biker's challenge
  20. 30Skin art, for short
  21. 31Sleepover attire, familiarly
  22. 32Enjoyable
  23. 33Grammy winner India.__
  24. 34Puzzle (out)
  25. 35Group of reps at the gym
  26. 38Above, in classic odes
  27. 41"Be quiet!"
  28. 43"Having said that ... "
  29. 45Minor injury
  30. 46Cassettes
  31. 47"Count on me"
  32. 48Quite thick
  33. 492026 Winter Olympics host city
  34. 52"The Biggest Little City in the World"
  35. 54Tons
  36. 55Drain blockage
  37. 56Offspring of Leia and Han
  38. 58Crumple (up)
  39. 60Course for some intl. students

The answer to “Creative solution” in the The Washington Post crossword is HACK — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on August 11, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 53-Across. 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.

“Creative solution” answer

HACK (4 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 HACK.

What does HACK mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of HACK is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(verb)

  • cut with rough or heavy blows
  • gain unauthorized access to data in a system or computer
  • cough persistently

When else has “Creative solution” appeared?

The Washington Post 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.

August 11, 2026 (most recent) → HACK. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Creative solution”?

The answer is HACK, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on August 11, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Creative solution”?

4 letters: HACK.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Washington Post crossword on August 11, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 53-Across.

Can “Creative solution” have a different answer?

Yes — The Washington Post 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 WaPo Crossword answers?

The full grid for August 11, 2026 is on the WaPo Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Washington Post Crossword is published by The Washington Post; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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