Deep defenses
Editorially verified for the Oct 16, 2026
24 Down
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Clue explained
A moat is a deep ditch around a castle or other fortified place, built to make an attack harder. Some moats were filled with water, while others were dry; either could serve as a defensive barrier.
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- Definition
WaPo Crossword
This clue's Friday, October 16, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Deep defenses” in the The Washington Post crossword is MOATS — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 16, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 24-Down. 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.
“Deep defenses” answer
MOATS (5 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 MOATS.
What does MOATS mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of MOATS is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- a deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort, or town, typically filled with water and intended as a defence against attack
When else has “Deep defenses” 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.
October 16, 2026 (most recent) → MOATS. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Deep defenses”?
The answer is MOATS, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 16, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Deep defenses”?
5 letters: MOATS.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the The Washington Post crossword on October 16, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 24-Down.
Can “Deep defenses” 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 October 16, 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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