Crossword Answer
Backyard barrier
What do you put up to keep the dog from wandering off? 🐕
Click a tile to reveal each letter, or show the full answer below.
Friday, July 10, 2026
By Elijah Acquah
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
USA Today Crossword Clues
Across
Down
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Cabbage-based sides — Answer: SLAWS. Hint: Think of crunchy salads that can be a zesty addition to your meal! 🥗
- 6. Fine sprays — Answer: MISTS. Hint: Think of what blankets a forest in the early morning! 🌫️
- 11. "What's your point?" — Answer: AND. Hint: Consider a conjunction that often connects ideas or statements! 🤔
- 14. Doritos ___ Cheese — Answer: NACHO. Hint: This cheesy snack is a party favorite that's perfect for sharing! 🥳
- 15. Like a dark room — Answer: UNLIT. Hint: Imagine a space with no lights on at all! 🌑
- 16. Sound from a pigeon — Answer: COO. Hint: Think of the gentle noise a bird makes when it's feeling cozy! 🕊️
- 17. "But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm / If your cascade, ___ wave blues come" — Answer: OCEAN. Hint: Think of the vast body of water that can soothe and inspire! 🌊
- 18. Marshmallowy treats — Answer: PEEPS. Hint: These colorful confections are often associated with springtime festivities! 🌸
- 19. Tater ___ — Answer: TOT. Hint: This small potato is often a favorite in kid-friendly meals! 🥔
- 20. Pop quiz, e.g. — Answer: TEST. Hint: It's often used in schools to measure knowledge! 📚
- 21. Newspaper columns — Answer: OPEDS. Hint: These pieces often express personal opinions or perspectives in the press! 🗞️
- 22. "There are pros and ___" — Answer: CONS. Hint: Think about the balance of arguments when making a decision! ⚖️
- 23. Questioned — Answer: ASKED. Hint: When you're curious, what do you do? 🤔
- 25. Apple discard — Answer: CORE. Hint: What remains at the center after enjoying a juicy bite? 🍏
- 26. Homes with stellar views? — Answer: SPACESTATIONS. Hint: Think of living quarters that orbit high above the Earth! 🚀
- 31. Transplant, like a plant — Answer: REPOT. Hint: Give that little green friend a fresh start in a new home! 🪴
- 32. Captains' workstations — Answer: HELMS. Hint: Think about where a ship's captain steers from! 🚢
- 33. "Wow, this relationship is really worth holding on to!" — Answer: ARENTYOUAKEEPER. Hint: When someone truly values you, they might say this! 💖
- 39. Sound of a pipe dropping — Answer: CLANG. Hint: Picture a loud clash when metal meets the ground! 🔔
- 40. Sag — Answer: DROOP. Hint: When something hangs down loosely, it's likely to have this quality! 😄
- 41. Underwater exploration — Answer: DEEPSEADIVING. Hint: Dive into the depths for a thrilling adventure beneath the waves! 🌊
- 44. Spaces between things — Answer: GAPS. Hint: Think about what you might find between two books on a shelf! 📚
- 45. Backyard barrier — Answer: FENCE. Hint: What do you put up to keep the dog from wandering off? 🐕
- 46. Mailed — Answer: SENT. Hint: Think about what you do when you dispatch a letter! 📬
- 47. "Swiss" vegetable — Answer: CHARD. Hint: This leafy green might add a colorful twist to your salad! 🥗
- 49. Word on a gift tag — Answer: FROM. Hint: Think about who the present is really from! 🎁
- 53. Part of a co. name — Answer: INC. Hint: This abbreviation indicates a corporation's legal status! 🏢
- 54. Tropical smoothie fruit — Answer: GUAVA. Hint: This fruit often brings a taste of the tropics and has a vibrant pinkish interior! 🥭
- 55. Good, in Spanish — Answer: BUENO. Hint: Think how you might compliment a delicious meal in a romantic language! 🌮
- 56. Fib — Answer: LIE. Hint: Sometimes it's just a little white one to avoid hurting feelings! 🤫
- 57. Parcel out — Answer: ALLOT. Hint: Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to dividing things up! 📦
- 58. Just completely done — Answer: FEDUP. Hint: When you've had enough, your patience is running low! 😤
- 59. "The Star-Spangled Banner" contraction — Answer: OER. Hint: Think about a famous anthem and its abbreviated form! 🎶
- 60. Walmart or Target, e.g. — Answer: STORE. Hint: Where you go to buy everyday essentials! 🛒
- 61. Dental string — Answer: FLOSS. Hint: This is what you might reach for to keep your smile sparkling! 🦷
Down
- 1. Unpleasant person — Answer: SNOT. Hint: Think of someone who's not exactly charming or nice! 👎
- 2. Delicate gown material — Answer: LACE. Hint: Think of a fabric often seen at weddings or in vintage decor! 🎀
- 3. Three-time WNBA champs — Answer: ACES. Hint: This team's name suggests they have the upper hand in a card game! ♠️
- 4. "Yea, that idea TOTALLY hasn't been done before!" — Answer: WHATACONCEPT. Hint: Think of a phrase you might use when an idea is overly original or unique! 💡
- 5. "Carry On Wayward ___" — Answer: SON. Hint: Think about a beloved family member often mentioned in songs! 🎶
- 6. Miss Piggy or Fozzie Bear, e.g. — Answer: MUPPET. Hint: These lovable characters often steal the show with their antics! 🎭
- 7. "Can you do me this one thing for me?" — Answer: INEEDAHUGEFAVOR. Hint: When someone asks for a big ask, it's more than just a small request! 🤲
- 8. Snow vehicle — Answer: SLED. Hint: Think of something that glides down a snowy hill, bringing joy to winter days! ❄️
- 9. Income for servers — Answer: TIPS. Hint: Think about the extra money you give for good service! 💵
- 10. They can cross aves. — Answer: STS. Hint: Think about what might fly over the skies, especially in groups! 🕊️
- 11. Cast members — Answer: ACTORS. Hint: Those who perform on stage or in front of the camera often shine in their roles! 🎭
- 12. Not a single soul — Answer: NOONE. Hint: Sometimes, when you're all alone, it feels like there isn't a person around! 😌
- 13. Dippin' ___ — Answer: DOTS. Hint: Think of a sweet treat that's often found at the fair! 🍦
- 21. Green-lights — Answer: OKS. Hint: It's all about giving your approval or permission! ✅
- 22. Drive in eco mode, perhaps — Answer: CONSERVEFUEL. Hint: Think about how to save your gas while cruising around! ⛽
- 24. Reaches an agreement — Answer: SETTLES. Hint: Think of resolving a dispute or coming to terms with someone! 🤝
- 25. Like funny timing — Answer: COMEDIC. Hint: Think of something that makes you laugh at just the right moment! 😂
- 26. Spanish for "Mrs." — Answer: SRA. Hint: Think about a respectful title used for a married woman in Spanish! 👩🏫
- 27. For each — Answer: PER. Hint: Think about how we express something in relation to a single unit! 📏
- 28. Gorilla or orangutan — Answer: APE. Hint: These creatures are often found swinging in trees and known for their intelligence! 🦧
- 29. Beverage that might be green or black — Answer: TEA. Hint: This warm drink can be enjoyed brewed from leaves and is often a favorite for many! 🍵
- 30. Variety — Answer: ILK. Hint: Think of different types or categories of something! 🎭
- 34. Talk at length — Answer: YAP. Hint: This word is often used to describe a long, chatty conversation, especially when it's a bit on the silly side! 🗣️
- 35. Add-___ (extras) — Answer: ONS. Hint: Think of what you might add to make something even better! 🌟
- 36. Taro root paste — Answer: POI. Hint: This Hawaiian delicacy is often served with a side of luau festivities! 🌺
- 37. It's giving forever — Answer: EON. Hint: Think of a term that describes an incredibly long period of time! ⏳
- 38. 43-Down, e.g, — Answer: RPG. Hint: Think of a game where you can assume different roles and embark on epic adventures! 🎲
- 41. "You know Dasher and ___ and Prancer and Vixen" — Answer: DANCER. Hint: Think of a festive group of reindeer that love to glide! 🎄
- 42. Make bubbly — Answer: AERATE. Hint: Think about how to introduce air into a liquid to create that fizzy sensation! 🥤
- 43. Dice-rolling tabletop game, for short — Answer: DND. Hint: Get ready to embark on an epic adventure filled with dragons and quests! 🐉
- 44. Granter of three wishes — Answer: GENIE. Hint: This magical being might just pop out of a lamp to grant your heart's desires! 🧞♂️
- 46. Storage unit on a farm — Answer: SILO. Hint: Think of a tall structure that holds grain and keeps it safe! 🌾
- 47. ___ following — Answer: CULT. Hint: Think of groups that often have a strong leader and devoted members! 🕊️
- 48. Xbox game franchise whose theme music features a Gregorian chant — Answer: HALO. Hint: This game series features epic battles and a mysterious ring with a name that's also a term for a celestial glow! 🌌
- 50. Tackle a second time — Answer: REDO. Hint: It’s what you do when you want to try it all over again! 🔄
- 51. "The ___ is on us" (punny way to say "We're responsible") — Answer: ONUS. Hint: Think of a word that suggests a burden or responsibility we all share! 🏋️
- 52. Spill-cleaning tools — Answer: MOPS. Hint: These tools help keep your floors shining after a mess! 🧽
- 54. Laughing matter? — Answer: GAS. Hint: Sometimes it's what escapes when you find something funny! 😂
- 55. Closest bud, for short — Answer: BFF. Hint: Think of your most trusted companion who knows you best! 🤗
The answer to “Backyard barrier” in the USA Today crossword is FENCE — a 5-letter word. This clue ran in the USA Today crossword on July 10, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 45-Across. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.
“Backyard barrier” answer
FENCE (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 FENCE.
Why the answer is FENCE
What do you put up to keep the dog from wandering off? 🐕
When else has “Backyard barrier” appeared?
USA Today reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.
July 10, 2026 (this puzzle) → FENCE. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.
More clues from the USA Today crossword on July 10, 2026
Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.
- "Can you do me this one thing for me?" → INEEDAHUGEFAVOR
- Drive in eco mode, perhaps → CONSERVEFUEL
- Like funny timing → COMEDIC
- Make bubbly → AERATE
- Dice-rolling tabletop game, for short → DND
- Spaces between things → GAPS
- Mailed → SENT
- Granter of three wishes → GENIE
Want every clue in one place? The full USA Today answer list for July 10, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live USA Today answers are always one tap from the today page.
About the USA Today Crossword
USA Today's daily crossword is a themed, accessible grid with no Monday-to-Saturday difficulty ramp — every day is written to be finishable in one sitting. This page covers a Friday puzzle. Theme answers and short glue entries trade places in importance; when a theme clue stalls you, a confirmed crossing fill usually breaks it open.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Backyard barrier”?
The answer is FENCE, a 5-letter word. It appeared in the USA Today crossword on July 10, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Backyard barrier”?
5 letters: FENCE.
Where did this clue appear?
In the USA Today crossword on July 10, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 45-Across.
Can “Backyard barrier” have a different answer?
Yes — USA Today 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 USA Today answers?
The full grid for July 10, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.