Area to defend

Latest answer — August 06, 2026

52 Down

A gang’s claimed patch of ground is something they’ll protect fiercely. 🛡️

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WSJ Crossword

This clue's Thursday, August 06, 2026 appearance

Contest: The answer to this week’s contest crossword is a seven-letter word.

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Objective
  2. 4Drop of despair
  3. 8Green guy, briefly
  4. 13Creature not known for speed
  5. 15Range rounds
  6. 16Animal in the Chinese zodiac
  7. 17Gucci of fashion
  8. 18Hitchhiker’s goal
  9. 19Sporty Camaros
  10. 20Where people laugh at amateurs
  11. 23“Task complete”
  12. 26Velvet finish?
  13. 27Motto of the British monarchy
  14. 32Minimal amount
  15. 33Pod dwellers
  16. 34Really enjoyed
  17. 36Noted Deco artist
  18. 37Discourage
  19. 39Word repeated after “Que” in a song title
  20. 40Dr. of hip-hop
  21. 41Green stroke
  22. 42Humongous
  23. 43Group with one goal, usually
  24. 47German granny
  25. 48Futon alternatives
  26. 49Yanks great who now manages the Phillies
  27. 54Try not to see
  28. 55One of the Four Corners corners
  29. 56Letters in a box
  30. 60Disney title character
  31. 61Diatribe
  32. 62___ Domani (wine brand)
  33. 63Wows at 20-Across
  34. 64Celebrity chef Bobby
  35. 65Of vital importance

Down

  1. 1Simile center, often
  2. 2“___ say!”
  3. 3Strong coffee, slangily
  4. 4Knack
  5. 5“Without Me” singer
  6. 6Radio choices
  7. 7Lavash cousin
  8. 8Barroom brawl souvenirs
  9. 92006 Olympics city
  10. 10___-rock
  11. 11Psychologist known for conformity experiments
  12. 12Try out
  13. 14What resources should be put to
  14. 21Rondeau writer
  15. 22Fragrant wood
  16. 23Ran without moving
  17. 24Land, in Latin America
  18. 25Ready for takeoff
  19. 28Decide that one will
  20. 29Formerly called
  21. 30Think
  22. 31No longer edible
  23. 35Bill with billions
  24. 37Dollar, casually
  25. 38Letters after the last example
  26. 39“There’s a space right here”
  27. 41Hair slickeners
  28. 42Delivery possibility
  29. 44Short sermon
  30. 45Tomorrow, in Tijuana
  31. 46Possessing power
  32. 49Crow relatives
  33. 50Lacking corners, maybe
  34. 51City known for beignets, briefly
  35. 52Area to defend
  36. 53Slanted type, for short
  37. 57Cry of frustration
  38. 58Puck’s milieu
  39. 59Myrna in “The Thin Man”

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Contest: The answer to this week’s contest crossword is a seven-letter word.

Across

  1. 1. Objective — Answer: AIM. Hint: Think of the goal you’re trying to achieve 🎯
  2. 4. Drop of despair — Answer: TEAR. Hint: A tiny sign of sadness that can slip from your eye 😢
  3. 8. Green guy, briefly — Answer: STPAT. Hint: Think of the famously green-clad saint, shortened to fit the grid. ☘️
  4. 13. Creature not known for speed — Answer: SLUG. Hint: Think of a garden crawler that takes its time 🐌
  5. 15. Range rounds — Answer: AMMO. Hint: Think of what you load into a firearm for target practice 🎯
  6. 16. Animal in the Chinese zodiac — Answer: HORSE. Hint: This zodiac creature is associated with freedom, energy, and galloping across wide-open spaces 🐎
  7. 17. Gucci of fashion — Answer: ALDO. Hint: Think of a popular footwear and accessories brand found in many shopping malls. 👟
  8. 18. Hitchhiker’s goal — Answer: LIFT. Hint: It’s the ride a roadside traveler hopes to get from a passing driver. 🚗
  9. 19. Sporty Camaros — Answer: IROCS. Hint: These performance-focused Camaros were named after a famous racing competition. 🏁
  10. 20. Where people laugh at amateurs — Answer: OPENMICNIGHT. Hint: It’s an evening where aspiring performers take the stage before a live audience. 🎤
  11. 23. “Task complete” — Answer: ITSDONE. Hint: A cheerful status update for a finished job ✅
  12. 26. Velvet finish? — Answer: EEN. Hint: Think of the suffix that turns a plush fabric into its velvet-like cousin. 🧵
  13. 27. Motto of the British monarchy — Answer: DIEUETMONDROIT. Hint: This royal motto is French for a promise of divine backing and rightful rule. 👑
  14. 32. Minimal amount — Answer: LEAST. Hint: Think of the smallest quantity you could possibly have. 🤏
  15. 33. Pod dwellers — Answer: PEAS. Hint: These tiny green legumes grow snugly inside a casing. 🫛
  16. 34. Really enjoyed — Answer: DUG. Hint: A casual past-tense way to say you liked something a lot. 😊
  17. 36. Noted Deco artist — Answer: ERTE. Hint: Think of the artist famous for elegant, elongated Art Deco figures and designs. 🎨
  18. 37. Discourage — Answer: DETER. Hint: Think about what you do to prevent someone from taking a certain action! 🚫
  19. 39. Word repeated after “Que” in a song title — Answer: SERA. Hint: Think of the classic song title beginning with “Que,” followed by a repeated word meaning “will be.” 🎵
  20. 40. Dr. of hip-hop — Answer: DRE. Hint: Think of the legendary West Coast rapper and producer known as hip-hop’s doctor 🎤
  21. 41. Green stroke — Answer: PUTT. Hint: On the golf green, this gentle stroke aims to roll the ball into the cup. ⛳
  22. 42. Humongous — Answer: GIANT. Hint: Think of something enormous enough to tower over everything around it. 🏔️
  23. 43. Group with one goal, usually — Answer: ADHOCCOMMITTEE. Hint: Think of a temporary team assembled to tackle one specific task. 🧩
  24. 47. German granny — Answer: OMA. Hint: In German, this is what you might affectionately call your grandmother. 👵
  25. 48. Futon alternatives — Answer: AIRBEDS. Hint: These inflatable sleeping surfaces make handy substitutes for a traditional futon. 🛏️
  26. 49. Yanks great who now manages the Phillies — Answer: DONMATTINGLY. Hint: Think of the Bronx Bombers legend who later took charge in the Phillies’ dugout. ⚾
  27. 54. Try not to see — Answer: AVOID. Hint: Steer clear of it instead of letting your eyes land on it. 👀
  28. 55. One of the Four Corners corners — Answer: UTAH. Hint: Think of the southwestern state that shares a famous four-way meeting point with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. 🗺️
  29. 56. Letters in a box — Answer: MAIL. Hint: Think of what might be waiting for you in the mailbox. 📬
  30. 60. Disney title character — Answer: WALLE. Hint: This lovable little robot tidies up an abandoned Earth before embarking on an interstellar adventure 🤖
  31. 61. Diatribe — Answer: RANT. Hint: A fiery outburst of criticism fits this clue. 🔥
  32. 62. ___ Domani (wine brand) — Answer: ECCO. Hint: This Italian wine label shares its name with a word meaning “here” or “look” in Italian. 🍷
  33. 63. Wows at 20-Across — Answer: SLAYS. Hint: Means impresses greatly, like a performer who owns the stage 🎤
  34. 64. Celebrity chef Bobby — Answer: FLAY. Hint: This famous Food Network chef shares his surname with a verb meaning to strip away skin. 🔪
  35. 65. Of vital importance — Answer: KEY. Hint: Think of something essential that unlocks possibilities! 🔑

Down

  1. 1. Simile center, often — Answer: ASA. Hint: Look for the short comparison phrase that often sits at the heart of a simile. 🔎
  2. 2. “___ say!” — Answer: ILL. Hint: This emphatic phrase means you strongly agree with what was just said. 👍
  3. 3. Strong coffee, slangily — Answer: MUD. Hint: Think of a rich, heavy cup of joe ☕
  4. 4. Knack — Answer: TALENT. Hint: A natural gift for doing something especially well is this. 🎯
  5. 5. “Without Me” singer — Answer: EMINEM. Hint: Think of the provocative Detroit rapper known for his alter ego Slim Shady. 🎤
  6. 6. Radio choices — Answer: AMFM. Hint: These are the two classic broadcast bands you can tune into on a radio. 📻
  7. 7. Lavash cousin — Answer: ROTI. Hint: Think of a soft, round South Asian flatbread often served with curries. 🫓
  8. 8. Barroom brawl souvenirs — Answer: SHINERS. Hint: These are the telltale bruises you might sport after a rough tavern tussle. 🥊
  9. 9. 2006 Olympics city — Answer: TORINO. Hint: Think of the Italian city that welcomed the Winter Games in 2006. 🇮🇹
  10. 10. ___-rock — Answer: PROG. Hint: This genre is known for sprawling songs, shifting time signatures, and ambitious musicianship. 🎸
  11. 11. Psychologist known for conformity experiments — Answer: ASCH. Hint: Think of the psychologist whose famous line-judgment studies revealed the power of group pressure. 🧠
  12. 12. Try out — Answer: TEST. Hint: Put something through its paces to see how it performs. 🧪
  13. 14. What resources should be put to — Answer: GOODUSE. Hint: Think of the phrase that means using resources effectively. 💡
  14. 21. Rondeau writer — Answer: POET. Hint: Think of someone who crafts verses in this repeating poetic form. ✍️
  15. 22. Fragrant wood — Answer: CEDAR. Hint: This aromatic timber is often used in closets because its scent helps repel moths. 🪵
  16. 23. Ran without moving — Answer: IDLED. Hint: Think of an engine operating while the vehicle stays in place. 🚗
  17. 24. Land, in Latin America — Answer: TIERRA. Hint: Think of the Spanish word for the ground beneath your feet. 🌎
  18. 25. Ready for takeoff — Answer: SEATED. Hint: Strapped in and waiting for the plane to leave ✈️
  19. 28. Decide that one will — Answer: OPTTO. Hint: Choose to commit to a course of action. 🤔
  20. 29. Formerly called — Answer: NEE. Hint: Use this term when referring to someone by a previous name. 🏷️
  21. 30. Think — Answer: IDEATE. Hint: Use this verb when you form a new concept in your mind. 💡
  22. 31. No longer edible — Answer: TURNED. Hint: This describes food that has spoiled or gone bad. 🤢
  23. 35. Bill with billions — Answer: GATES. Hint: Think of the Microsoft cofounder known for both immense wealth and major philanthropy. 💻
  24. 37. Dollar, casually — Answer: DUCAT. Hint: Think of a playful, old-timey nickname for a dollar or coin. 💰
  25. 38. Letters after the last example — Answer: ETC. Hint: This abbreviation signals that the list continues beyond the examples given. ✨
  26. 39. “There’s a space right here” — Answer: SITBYME. Hint: An invitation to take the open spot beside the speaker. 🪑
  27. 41. Hair slickeners — Answer: POMADES. Hint: These styling products tame flyaways and add a glossy finish to your hair. 💇
  28. 42. Delivery possibility — Answer: GIRL. Hint: A newborn might arrive as one of these, rather than a boy. 👶
  29. 44. Short sermon — Answer: HOMILY. Hint: A brief religious talk delivered during a service might fit the bill. 📖
  30. 45. Tomorrow, in Tijuana — Answer: MANANA. Hint: This Spanish word means the day after today. 🇲🇽
  31. 46. Possessing power — Answer: MIGHTY. Hint: Think of someone or something with great strength or influence. 💪
  32. 49. Crow relatives — Answer: DAWS. Hint: Think of the smaller, noisy black birds that belong to the same family as crows. 🐦
  33. 50. Lacking corners, maybe — Answer: OVAL. Hint: Think of a smooth, rounded shape without sharp angles. 🔵
  34. 51. City known for beignets, briefly — Answer: NOLA. Hint: Think of the Big Easy, famous for powdered-sugar pastries, in abbreviated form. 🥐
  35. 52. Area to defend — Answer: TURF. Hint: A gang’s claimed patch of ground is something they’ll protect fiercely. 🛡️
  36. 53. Slanted type, for short — Answer: ITAL. Hint: Think of the compact term for letters that lean to the side. ✍️
  37. 57. Cry of frustration — Answer: ACK. Hint: A brief exclamation you might blurt out when technology lets you down 😤
  38. 58. Puck’s milieu — Answer: ICE. Hint: Think of the slippery playing surface where hockey’s mischievous disk glides 🏒
  39. 59. Myrna in “The Thin Man” — Answer: LOY. Hint: Think of the actress who played Nora Charles alongside William Powell in this classic detective comedy. 🎬

The answer to “Area to defend” in the Wall Street Journal crossword is TURF — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 6, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 52-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.

“Area to defend” answer

TURF (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 TURF.

Why the answer is TURF

A gang’s claimed patch of ground is something they’ll protect fiercely. 🛡️

What does TURF mean?

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

(noun)

  • grass and the surface layer of earth held together by its roots
  • horse racing or racecourses generally
  • an area or sphere of activity regarded as someone's personal territory

When else has “Area to defend” appeared?

Wall Street Journal 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 6, 2026 (most recent) → TURF. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Area to defend”?

The answer is TURF, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 6, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Area to defend”?

4 letters: TURF.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 6, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 52-Down.

Can “Area to defend” have a different answer?

Yes — Wall Street Journal 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 WSJ answers?

The full grid for August 6, 2026 is on the WSJ answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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