Like some flaws
Editorially verified for the Oct 16, 2026
39 Down
Scroll down for rest of crossword answers
Clue explained
A fatal flaw is a serious weakness that can bring about a person’s or plan’s downfall. “Fatal” is used figuratively here: the flaw needn’t be physically deadly, just ruinous to the outcome.
- Clue type:
- Definition
WaPo Crossword
This clue's Friday, October 16, 2026 appearance
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
Across
- 55Couple
Down
The answer to “Like some flaws” in the The Washington Post crossword is FATAL — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 16, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 39-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.
“Like some flaws” answer
FATAL (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 FATAL.
What does FATAL mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of FATAL is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(adjective)
- causing death
When else has “Like some flaws” 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) → FATAL. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Like some flaws”?
The answer is FATAL, 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 “Like some flaws”?
5 letters: FATAL.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the The Washington Post crossword on October 16, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 39-Down.
Can “Like some flaws” 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.
Crossword Clues
Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.