Hack

Latest answer — August 26, 2026

11 Across

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Clue explained

To HEW is to hack or chop roughly, especially with a tool such as an ax. It is a verb in the same imperative-style form as “Hack.”

Clue type:
Definition
A person chopping wood with an axe

WSJ Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, August 26, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

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

Across

  1. 1Fires (up)
  2. 7Leaves aside?
  3. 11Hack
  4. 14Open on Christmas, say
  5. 15Speckled steed
  6. 16Sumac from Peru
  7. 17Went helter-skelter
  8. 19Central
  9. 20Old-timey oath
  10. 21Last Hebrew letter
  11. 22They’re larger than life
  12. 24Young hares
  13. 26Name in strings
  14. 30Music producer Gotti
  15. 31Police jacket letters
  16. 35Island of Malaysia
  17. 37Curvy doorway topper
  18. 40“What a day!”
  19. 42Prepare for a comeback tour, perhaps
  20. 43Mars, Jupiter or Neptune
  21. 45Amused sound
  22. 46Old imperial title
  23. 47Negroni spirit
  24. 49You might get down from them
  25. 50Historical play by Christopher Marlowe
  26. 54“The quality of mercy is not strained” speaker
  27. 57Stirrup site
  28. 58Sort
  29. 62Academic domain
  30. 63“I hope so,” and an alternative title for this puzzle
  31. 66Waits on stage
  32. 67Ready for publication
  33. 68Not optional
  34. 69“Torso Fruit” sculptor
  35. 70“Do the Right Thing” pizzeria
  36. 71Erotic

Down

  1. 1Free of additives
  2. 2Planning problem
  3. 3Org. with a “Week Without Violence” program
  4. 4Street rep
  5. 5Owned
  6. 6Sudden outpouring
  7. 7Words of wisdom
  8. 8Note from a short person?
  9. 9Oscar winner for “Tootsie” and “Blue Sky”
  10. 10Break up
  11. 11Music for the masses?
  12. 12Give off
  13. 13Bundles of bills
  14. 18Sitar master Shankar
  15. 23Armand of “American Gangster”
  16. 24Irish export
  17. 25Airstream owner
  18. 26Distant
  19. 27Staff notes
  20. 28Inner self, to a Jungian
  21. 29Upholstery fabric
  22. 32Form letters?
  23. 33Divisions d’un opéra
  24. 34“Done!”
  25. 36Funny bit
  26. 38Court call
  27. 39Mario’s brother
  28. 41Cato’s costume
  29. 44Calls the shots
  30. 48Sask. neighbor
  31. 51Sea stoppers
  32. 52Film fish
  33. 53Clubs at clubs
  34. 54Fur-fighting org.
  35. 55Gas leak evidence
  36. 56Behind
  37. 58Affectedly precious
  38. 59“Impossible to see, the future is” speaker
  39. 60Stressful work?
  40. 61Whirling water
  41. 64It can be refined
  42. 65Bottom line

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Fires (up) — Answer: PSYCHS. Hint: In slang, this means gets someone mentally energized or excited. 🔥
  2. 7. Leaves aside? — Answer: PILE. Hint: Set autumn foliage together and you create one of these. 🍂
  3. 11. Hack — Answer: HEW. Hint: As a verb, this means to chop or cut roughly. 🪓
  4. 14. Open on Christmas, say — Answer: UNWRAP. Hint: Do this to a gift before discovering what is inside. 🎁
  5. 15. Speckled steed — Answer: ROAN. Hint: This describes a horse with a mixed or dappled coat. 🐴
  6. 16. Sumac from Peru — Answer: YMA. Hint: Recall the first name of the renowned Peruvian singer Sumac. 🎤
  7. 17. Went helter-skelter — Answer: RACEDAROUND. Hint: This describes moving frantically from place to place. 🏃
  8. 19. Central — Answer: MID. Hint: Look for a concise term meaning located in the middle. 🎯
  9. 20. Old-timey oath — Answer: EGAD. Hint: A quaint exclamation of surprise or emphasis from another era! 🕰️
  10. 21. Last Hebrew letter — Answer: TAV. Hint: This is the final character in the Hebrew alphabet. 🔤
  11. 22. They’re larger than life — Answer: GIANTS. Hint: Think of enormous beings from folklore, fairy tales, or sports! 🏀
  12. 24. Young hares — Answer: LEVERETS. Hint: These are baby members of the hare family. 🐇
  13. 26. Name in strings — Answer: AMATI. Hint: This famous Italian family name is associated with finely crafted violins. 🎻
  14. 30. Music producer Gotti — Answer: IRV. Hint: Think of the hip-hop executive behind Murder Inc. Records. 🎧
  15. 31. Police jacket letters — Answer: SWAT. Hint: These initials identify a heavily armed police response team. 🚓
  16. 35. Island of Malaysia — Answer: PENANG. Hint: This Malaysian island is known for George Town and its street food. 🌴
  17. 37. Curvy doorway topper — Answer: BELLARCH. Hint: A rounded architectural feature can crown an entrance. 🏛️
  18. 40. “What a day!” — Answer: AMIBEAT. Hint: A weary person might say this after an exhausting day. 😮‍💨
  19. 42. Prepare for a comeback tour, perhaps — Answer: REUNITE. Hint: Bring the band together again for another run of shows. 🎤
  20. 43. Mars, Jupiter or Neptune — Answer: ROMANGOD. Hint: Each of these planets takes its name from a deity in ancient mythology. 🪐
  21. 45. Amused sound — Answer: TITTER. Hint: A small, restrained laugh is often described this way. 😊
  22. 46. Old imperial title — Answer: TSAR. Hint: This historical ruler’s title was used by emperors of Russia and Bulgaria. 👑
  23. 47. Negroni spirit — Answer: GIN. Hint: This classic cocktail gets its botanical kick from a clear juniper-based spirit. 🍸
  24. 49. You might get down from them — Answer: GEESE. Hint: These honking birds can provide the soft insulation found in pillows and jackets. 🪶
  25. 50. Historical play by Christopher Marlowe — Answer: EDWARDII. Hint: Marlowe dramatized the troubled reign of this English monarch. 🎭
  26. 54. “The quality of mercy is not strained” speaker — Answer: PORTIA. Hint: In Shakespeare’s courtroom plea, the eloquent speaker urges compassion over strict justice. ⚖️
  27. 57. Stirrup site — Answer: EAR. Hint: This body part houses the tiny bone nicknamed the stirrup. 👂
  28. 58. Sort — Answer: TYPE. Hint: As a verb, it means to classify or categorize. 🗂️
  29. 62. Academic domain — Answer: EDU. Hint: A broad area of study at a college or university 📚
  30. 63. “I hope so,” and an alternative title for this puzzle — Answer: KNOCKONWOOD. Hint: This hopeful phrase is traditionally spoken after mentioning good fortune, to keep it going 🍀
  31. 66. Waits on stage — Answer: TOM. Hint: A male feline might be lingering under the spotlight 🎭
  32. 67. Ready for publication — Answer: EDIT. Hint: A polished manuscript can go straight to the printer 🖨️
  33. 68. Not optional — Answer: NEEDED. Hint: This is required rather than merely desirable ✅
  34. 69. “Torso Fruit” sculptor — Answer: ARP. Hint: This artist created a playful fruit-themed torso and worked with the Surrealists 🗿
  35. 70. “Do the Right Thing” pizzeria — Answer: SALS. Hint: Look for the neighborhood pizza shop owned by the film’s central Italian-American family 🍕
  36. 71. Erotic — Answer: STEAMY. Hint: Suggestive rather than innocent, this word can also describe a sultry scene 🔥

Down

  1. 1. Free of additives — Answer: PURE. Hint: Nothing extra has been mixed in, especially in food or drink 🧃
  2. 2. Planning problem — Answer: SNAG. Hint: A small obstacle can derail an otherwise careful schedule 🗓️
  3. 3. Org. with a “Week Without Violence” program — Answer: YWCA. Hint: This community organization shares initials with a well-known young women’s association 🏢
  4. 4. Street rep — Answer: CRED. Hint: Informal respect earned in the neighborhood matters here 🏙️
  5. 5. Owned — Answer: HAD. Hint: Think of a simple past-tense verb meaning possessed. 🧩
  6. 6. Sudden outpouring — Answer: SPATE. Hint: Think of a sudden flood of words, rain, or activity 🌊
  7. 7. Words of wisdom — Answer: PROVERB. Hint: A concise traditional saying often carries one of these lessons 📖
  8. 8. Note from a short person? — Answer: IOU. Hint: A tiny writer might leave this promise to repay a favor 📝
  9. 9. Oscar winner for “Tootsie” and “Blue Sky” — Answer: LANGE. Hint: This actress won for both a comedy about an actor in disguise and a later drama 🎬
  10. 10. Break up — Answer: ENDIT. Hint: As a relationship command, this means bring it to a close 💔
  11. 11. Music for the masses? — Answer: HYMN. Hint: A congregational song is meant for worshippers to sing together ⛪
  12. 12. Give off — Answer: EMIT. Hint: Think of what a light bulb does when it's turned on! 💡
  13. 13. Bundles of bills — Answer: WADS. Hint: Informal term for thick rolls or stacks of cash 💵
  14. 18. Sitar master Shankar — Answer: RAVI. Hint: This virtuoso collaborated with George Harrison and popularized Indian classical music 🎶
  15. 23. Armand of “American Gangster” — Answer: ASSANTE. Hint: This actor portrayed a mobster in the crime drama 🎬
  16. 24. Irish export — Answer: LINEN. Hint: This breathable fabric has long been associated with Ireland 🍀
  17. 25. Airstream owner — Answer: RVER. Hint: This traveler takes a shiny trailer on the road 🚐
  18. 26. Distant — Answer: APART. Hint: Something far away is this 🌌
  19. 27. Staff notes — Answer: MEMOS. Hint: These brief workplace messages keep employees informed 📝
  20. 28. Inner self, to a Jungian — Answer: ANIMA. Hint: Jung used this term for a man's inner feminine archetype 🧠
  21. 29. Upholstery fabric — Answer: TABARET. Hint: This decorative textile can cover furniture 🛋️
  22. 32. Form letters? — Answer: WRITE. Hint: To create correspondence is to do this ✍️
  23. 33. Divisions d’un opéra — Answer: ACTES. Hint: In French, these are the sections of a stage work 🎭
  24. 34. “Done!” — Answer: THERE. Hint: This word can finish the phrase “___ you go” ✅
  25. 36. Funny bit — Answer: GAG. Hint: A comedian may use this quick joke 😂
  26. 38. Court call — Answer: LET. Hint: In tennis, this call means a serve touched the net 🎾
  27. 39. Mario’s brother — Answer: LUIGI. Hint: This green-clad Nintendo hero often joins the mustached plumber 🎮
  28. 41. Cato’s costume — Answer: TOGA. Hint: A Roman senator might wear this draped garment 🏛️
  29. 44. Calls the shots — Answer: DIRECTS. Hint: A person in charge of a production does this 🎬
  30. 48. Sask. neighbor — Answer: NDAK. Hint: This abbreviated American state borders Saskatchewan to the south 🗺️
  31. 51. Sea stoppers — Answer: DIKES. Hint: These barriers hold back water and protect low-lying land 🌊
  32. 52. Film fish — Answer: WANDA. Hint: She gives her name to a famously punny fish film 🎥
  33. 53. Clubs at clubs — Answer: IRONS. Hint: Golfers may swing these on a country-club course ⛳
  34. 54. Fur-fighting org. — Answer: PETA. Hint: This animal-rights group campaigns against the use of fur 🐾
  35. 55. Gas leak evidence — Answer: ODOR. Hint: Your nose may detect this telltale sign of escaping fuel 👃
  36. 56. Behind — Answer: RUMP. Hint: Think of the rear or backside of something 🍑
  37. 58. Affectedly precious — Answer: TWEE. Hint: This describes something overly cute or dainty in a forced way 🎀
  38. 59. “Impossible to see, the future is” speaker — Answer: YODA. Hint: Think of the Jedi master known for scrambled syntax ✨
  39. 60. Stressful work? — Answer: POEM. Hint: This literary creation may involve meter, rhyme, and plenty of revision ✍️
  40. 61. Whirling water — Answer: EDDY. Hint: Picture a small circular current spinning in a stream 🌊
  41. 64. It can be refined — Answer: OIL. Hint: This fossil fuel becomes more useful after processing ⛽
  42. 65. Bottom line — Answer: NET. Hint: It is what remains after costs are subtracted 💰

The answer to “Hack” in the Wall Street Journal crossword is HEW — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 26, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 11-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.

“Hack” answer

HEW (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 HEW.

What does HEW mean?

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

(verb)

  • chop or cut (something, especially wood or coal) with an axe, pick, or other tool

When else has “Hack” 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 26, 2026 (most recent) → HEW. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Hack”?

The answer is HEW, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 26, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Hack”?

3 letters: HEW.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 26, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 11-Across.

Can “Hack” 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 26, 2026 is on the WSJ answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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