Letters from a bygone empire
Editorially verified for the Oct 17, 2026
39 Across
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Clue explained
SSR stands for Soviet Socialist Republic, the official designation used for many republics within the Soviet Union. For instance, Ukraine was the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, often called the Ukrainian SSR. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, so the initials now point to a vanished political system and the republics that once formed it.
- Clue type:
- Abbreviation
WaPo Crossword
This clue's Saturday, October 17, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Letters from a bygone empire” in the The Washington Post crossword is SSR — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 17, 2026, a Saturday puzzle, at 39-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.
“Letters from a bygone empire” answer
SSR (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 SSR.
When else has “Letters from a bygone empire” 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 17, 2026 (most recent) → SSR. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Letters from a bygone empire”?
The answer is SSR, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 17, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Letters from a bygone empire”?
3 letters: SSR.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the The Washington Post crossword on October 17, 2026 (a Saturday puzzle), at 39-Across.
Can “Letters from a bygone empire” 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 17, 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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