WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Monday’s Daily

By Kelly Morenus · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1Magic: The Gathering fan's collectionCARDS
  2. 6"You are __": map messageHERE
  3. 10Slugger SammySOSA
  4. 14Capital of GhanaACCRA
  5. 15Yemen neighborOMAN
  6. 16Birds associated with wisdomOWLS
  7. 17Attraction in a neighborhood parkPLAYGROUND
  8. 19Skewed viewBIAS
  9. 20Flow slowlySEEP
  10. 21General ideaSENSE
  11. 22Lobby group for seniorsAARP
  12. 25Illuminating item in an emergency kitFLASHLIGHT
  13. 29Word before metal and musicSHEET
  14. 31BuoyantAFLOAT
  15. 32Kitchen tool needed for some potato dishesPEELER
  16. 34Commuter's feeTOLL
  17. 35Garden implementHOE
  18. 38Phone history listCALLLOG
  19. 40Fail to show up forBLOWOFF
  20. 42Streaming interruptionsADS
  21. 43Argentine author Jorge __ BorgesLUIS
  22. 45Italian town with a namesake coastAMALFI
  23. 46"Go Birds!" NFL teamEAGLES
  24. 48Iron alloySTEEL
  25. 49Outing for two couplesDOUBLEDATE
  26. 53Literary governess JaneEYRE
  27. 54Up toUNTIL
  28. 55Love, in SpanishAMOR
  29. 57Actor EstradaERIK
  30. 58Consecutive, or a hint to what can follow the first parts and precede the second parts of 17-, 25-, 38-, 40-, and 49-AcrossBACKTOBACK
  31. 64Country singer LovettLYLE
  32. 65Shrek, for oneOGRE
  33. 66Nintendo's The Legend of __ZELDA
  34. 67NoticesSEES
  35. 68Some small dogsTOYS
  36. 69Official orderEDICT

Down

  1. 1LidCAP
  2. 2Knee surgery target, for shortACL
  3. 3Color TV pioneerRCA
  4. 4Unproductive periodDRYSPELL
  5. 5Mint family herbSAGE
  6. 6FussHOOPLA
  7. 7Down Under birdEMU
  8. 8Appeared in printRAN
  9. 9CeaseEND
  10. 10"That's that, then"SOBEIT
  11. 11In debtOWING
  12. 12Cut drastically, as pricesSLASH
  13. 13Valuable qualityASSET
  14. 18Gridiron officialREF
  15. 21Ski races with gatesSLALOMS
  16. 22Pet welfare org.ASPCA
  17. 23On track to winAHEAD
  18. 24Film spoolsREELS
  19. 26Away from the bow, on a boatAFT
  20. 27Untidy oneSLOB
  21. 28Say hi, in slangHOLLA
  22. 30Dishy memoirTELLALL
  23. 33Cheek colorerROUGE
  24. 35Like moth-eaten clothingHOLEY
  25. 36Buyer's proposalOFFER
  26. 37Submit taxes onlineEFILE
  27. 39__ the lily: add unnecessary decorGILD
  28. 41Sloshy mattressWATERBED
  29. 44Salty expanseSEA
  30. 46Chargeable two-wheelersEBIKES
  31. 47Poles in a tomato gardenSTAKES
  32. 49Old-fashioned showdownsDUELS
  33. 50Sandwich requestONRYE
  34. 51PurposefulUTILE
  35. 52First responder: Abbr.EMT
  36. 56Flow slowlyOOZE
  37. 58DroidBOT
  38. 59In the pastAGO
  39. 60Get weepyCRY
  40. 61"__ Baba and the Forty Thieves"ALI
  41. 62Public health agcy.CDC
  42. 63Dennings of "WandaVision"KAT

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Magic: The Gathering fan's collection — Answer: CARDS. Hint: A player gathers these to build powerful decks 🃏
  2. 6. "You are __": map message — Answer: HERE. Hint: A map marker uses this word to show your location 📍
  3. 10. Slugger Sammy — Answer: SOSA. Hint: Recall the baseball star famous for his home-run race ⚾
  4. 14. Capital of Ghana — Answer: ACCRA. Hint: This coastal West African capital sits on the Gulf of Guinea 🌍
  5. 15. Yemen neighbor — Answer: OMAN. Hint: Look to the Arabian Peninsula country east of Yemen 🗺️
  6. 16. Birds associated with wisdom — Answer: OWLS. Hint: These nocturnal birds are classic symbols of wisdom 🦉
  7. 17. Attraction in a neighborhood park — Answer: PLAYGROUND. Hint: Children head here for swings, slides, and fun 🎠
  8. 19. Skewed view — Answer: BIAS. Hint: A perspective that isn’t completely neutral might have this. 🎯
  9. 20. Flow slowly — Answer: SEEP. Hint: Water can do this gradually through a tiny opening 💧
  10. 21. General idea — Answer: SENSE. Hint: This can mean the broad meaning or gist of something 💡
  11. 22. Lobby group for seniors — Answer: AARP. Hint: This American organization advocates for older adults 👵
  12. 25. Illuminating item in an emergency kit — Answer: FLASHLIGHT. Hint: It provides a portable beam when the power goes out 🔦
  13. 29. Word before metal and music — Answer: SHEET. Hint: This word precedes both a building material and musical notation 🎵
  14. 31. Buoyant — Answer: AFLOAT. Hint: Something floating on water is in this state. 🌊
  15. 32. Kitchen tool needed for some potato dishes — Answer: PEELER. Hint: This handy utensil strips away a vegetable’s outer layer. 🥔
  16. 34. Commuter's fee — Answer: TOLL. Hint: A driver pays this to use certain roads or bridges. 🚗
  17. 35. Garden implement — Answer: HOE. Hint: This long-handled tool helps loosen soil and remove weeds. 🌱
  18. 38. Phone history list — Answer: CALLLOG. Hint: Check this to see who contacted you recently. 📱
  19. 40. Fail to show up for — Answer: BLOWOFF. Hint: You might do this to an appointment when you skip it without warning. 📅
  20. 42. Streaming interruptions — Answer: ADS. Hint: These brief commercial breaks can interrupt your favorite show. 📺
  21. 43. Argentine author Jorge __ Borges — Answer: LUIS. Hint: His first name is shared with a famous French king. 👑
  22. 45. Italian town with a namesake coast — Answer: AMALFI. Hint: This picturesque Italian town also lends its name to a famous shoreline. 🌊
  23. 46. "Go Birds!" NFL team — Answer: EAGLES. Hint: This Philadelphia football team has a bird of prey for its mascot. 🦅
  24. 48. Iron alloy — Answer: STEEL. Hint: This durable material combines iron with carbon. 🔩
  25. 49. Outing for two couples — Answer: DOUBLEDATE. Hint: Four people, forming two romantic pairs, share this kind of outing. 💑
  26. 53. Literary governess Jane — Answer: EYRE. Hint: Charlotte Brontë gave this governess a surname known around the world. 📚
  27. 54. Up to — Answer: UNTIL. Hint: Think about a word that marks a time limit or endpoint! ⏳
  28. 55. Love, in Spanish — Answer: AMOR. Hint: Think of the Spanish word you’d use for deep affection. ❤️
  29. 57. Actor Estrada — Answer: ERIK. Hint: This actor played Ponch on CHiPs. 🎬
  30. 58. Consecutive, or a hint to what can follow the first parts and precede the second parts of 17-, 25-, 38-, 40-, and 49-Across — Answer: BACKTOBACK. Hint: It describes two things occurring one immediately after the other. 🔁
  31. 64. Country singer Lovett — Answer: LYLE. Hint: This singer-songwriter is known for his distinctive hair and witty country music. 🤠
  32. 65. Shrek, for one — Answer: OGRE. Hint: This green, grumpy fairy-tale creature is a classic example of one 🧌
  33. 66. Nintendo's The Legend of __ — Answer: ZELDA. Hint: This Nintendo adventure series centers on a princess and a heroic elf-like warrior. 🎮
  34. 67. Notices — Answer: SEES. Hint: Keep your eyes peeled for what you can observe! 👀
  35. 68. Some small dogs — Answer: TOYS. Hint: In dog-show classifications, these pups are especially petite. 🐶
  36. 69. Official order — Answer: EDICT. Hint: It's a formal declaration often issued by someone in authority. 📜

Down

  1. 1. Lid — Answer: CAP. Hint: This small cover fits over the top of a container. 🧢
  2. 2. Knee surgery target, for short — Answer: ACL. Hint: This knee ligament is often discussed after a sports injury. 🦵
  3. 3. Color TV pioneer — Answer: RCA. Hint: This electronics company helped bring color broadcasting into American homes. 📺
  4. 4. Unproductive period — Answer: DRYSPELL. Hint: A long stretch without rain—or results—can be called this. 🌵
  5. 5. Mint family herb — Answer: SAGE. Hint: This fragrant kitchen herb also describes a wise person. 🌿
  6. 6. Fuss — Answer: HOOPLA. Hint: A noisy fuss or commotion is often called this. 🎉
  7. 7. Down Under bird — Answer: EMU. Hint: This flightless Australian bird is known for its long neck and speedy legs. 🐦
  8. 8. Appeared in print — Answer: RAN. Hint: This means something was published in a newspaper or magazine. 📰
  9. 9. Cease — Answer: END. Hint: Bring something to a close with this verb. 🛑
  10. 10. "That's that, then" — Answer: SOBEIT. Hint: This phrase signals that the matter is settled. ✅
  11. 11. In debt — Answer: OWING. Hint: If you haven't paid a bill yet, you may be this. 💸
  12. 12. Cut drastically, as prices — Answer: SLASH. Hint: To reduce prices sharply, use this vivid verb. ✂️
  13. 13. Valuable quality — Answer: ASSET. Hint: A useful or valuable resource is a real plus. 💎
  14. 18. Gridiron official — Answer: REF. Hint: This official enforces the rules on the football field. 🏈
  15. 21. Ski races with gates — Answer: SLALOMS. Hint: These ski competitions send racers weaving between poles. 🎿
  16. 22. Pet welfare org. — Answer: ASPCA. Hint: This animal-protection group advocates for pets and humane treatment. 🐾
  17. 23. On track to win — Answer: AHEAD. Hint: A competitor in front is in this position. 🏁
  18. 24. Film spools — Answer: REELS. Hint: Think of what you might use for fishing or to watch a movie! 🎥
  19. 26. Away from the bow, on a boat — Answer: AFT. Hint: On a boat, this means toward the rear. ⛵
  20. 27. Untidy one — Answer: SLOB. Hint: Someone habitually messy might be called this. 🧹
  21. 28. Say hi, in slang — Answer: HOLLA. Hint: Use this casual greeting to get someone's attention. 👋
  22. 30. Dishy memoir — Answer: TELLALL. Hint: A candid memoir full of secrets is a juicy one. 📖
  23. 33. Cheek colorer — Answer: ROUGE. Hint: This makeup adds a rosy tint to the cheeks. 💄
  24. 35. Like moth-eaten clothing — Answer: HOLEY. Hint: A garment riddled with tiny openings fits this description. 🧥
  25. 36. Buyer's proposal — Answer: OFFER. Hint: It is what a buyer puts forward in hopes of making a deal. 🤝
  26. 37. Submit taxes online — Answer: EFILE. Hint: It's a modern way to file your taxes from the comfort of your home! 💻
  27. 39. __ the lily: add unnecessary decor — Answer: GILD. Hint: This verb means to embellish something that is already beautiful. ✨
  28. 41. Sloshy mattress — Answer: WATERBED. Hint: Picture a mattress filled with liquid instead of foam. 🛏️
  29. 44. Salty expanse — Answer: SEA. Hint: This broad body of salt water covers much of Earth. 🌊
  30. 46. Chargeable two-wheelers — Answer: EBIKES. Hint: These pedal-assisted rides can be powered up for a fee. 🚲
  31. 47. Poles in a tomato garden — Answer: STAKES. Hint: Garden supports help keep tomato plants upright. 🍅
  32. 49. Old-fashioned showdowns — Answer: DUELS. Hint: These one-on-one contests were once settled with swords or pistols. ⚔️
  33. 50. Sandwich request — Answer: ONRYE. Hint: This order specifies a sandwich served on a particular bread. 🥪
  34. 51. Purposeful — Answer: UTILE. Hint: This describes something practical and useful. 🛠️
  35. 52. First responder: Abbr. — Answer: EMT. Hint: This emergency professional arrives first to provide medical aid. 🚑
  36. 56. Flow slowly — Answer: OOZE. Hint: To seep or move out in a thick, unhurried way. 💧
  37. 58. Droid — Answer: BOT. Hint: Think of a small mechanical helper from science fiction, not a human assistant. 🤖
  38. 59. In the past — Answer: AGO. Hint: A little while back, not now 😌
  39. 60. Get weepy — Answer: CRY. Hint: To become teary-eyed and emotional. 😢
  40. 61. "__ Baba and the Forty Thieves" — Answer: ALI. Hint: This legendary hero faces forty thieves in a famous tale. 📖
  41. 62. Public health agcy. — Answer: CDC. Hint: This agency helps keep us safe from diseases and promotes healthy living! 🏥
  42. 63. Dennings of "WandaVision" — Answer: KAT. Hint: She played Darcy Lewis in the Marvel series. 📺

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 16 August 2026WaPo Crossword 15 August 2026WaPo Crossword 14 August 2026WaPo Crossword 13 August 2026WaPo Crossword 12 August 2026WaPo Crossword 11 August 2026WaPo Crossword 10 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 17, 2026 — is at the top of this page, updated the moment the new grid goes live. The WaPo crossword is a free daily 15×15 with fair, conversational cluing, played by millions online. Whether you're checking a finished grid, unlocking one stubborn square, or want the whole answer key, every across and down solution is listed below.

Full WaPo Crossword answer list for today

Every clue from today's grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.

Across

#ClueAnswer
1Magic: The Gathering fan's collectionCARDS
6"You are __": map messageHERE
10Slugger SammySOSA
14Capital of GhanaACCRA
15Yemen neighborOMAN
16Birds associated with wisdomOWLS
17Attraction in a neighborhood parkPLAYGROUND
19Skewed viewBIAS
20Flow slowlySEEP
21General ideaSENSE
22Lobby group for seniorsAARP
25Illuminating item in an emergency kitFLASHLIGHT
29Word before metal and musicSHEET
31BuoyantAFLOAT
32Kitchen tool needed for some potato dishesPEELER
34Commuter's feeTOLL
35Garden implementHOE
38Phone history listCALLLOG
40Fail to show up forBLOWOFF
42Streaming interruptionsADS
43Argentine author Jorge __ BorgesLUIS
45Italian town with a namesake coastAMALFI
46"Go Birds!" NFL teamEAGLES
48Iron alloySTEEL
49Outing for two couplesDOUBLEDATE
53Literary governess JaneEYRE
54Up toUNTIL
55Love, in SpanishAMOR
57Actor EstradaERIK
58Consecutive, or a hint to what can follow the first parts and precede the second parts of 17-, 25-, 38-, 40-, and 49-AcrossBACKTOBACK
64Country singer LovettLYLE
65Shrek, for oneOGRE
66Nintendo's The Legend of __ZELDA
67NoticesSEES
68Some small dogsTOYS
69Official orderEDICT

Down

#ClueAnswer
1LidCAP
2Knee surgery target, for shortACL
3Color TV pioneerRCA
4Unproductive periodDRYSPELL
5Mint family herbSAGE
6FussHOOPLA
7Down Under birdEMU
8Appeared in printRAN
9CeaseEND
10"That's that, then"SOBEIT
11In debtOWING
12Cut drastically, as pricesSLASH
13Valuable qualityASSET
18Gridiron officialREF
21Ski races with gatesSLALOMS
22Pet welfare org.ASPCA
23On track to winAHEAD
24Film spoolsREELS
26Away from the bow, on a boatAFT
27Untidy oneSLOB
28Say hi, in slangHOLLA
30Dishy memoirTELLALL
33Cheek colorerROUGE
35Like moth-eaten clothingHOLEY
36Buyer's proposalOFFER
37Submit taxes onlineEFILE
39__ the lily: add unnecessary decorGILD
41Sloshy mattressWATERBED
44Salty expanseSEA
46Chargeable two-wheelersEBIKES
47Poles in a tomato gardenSTAKES
49Old-fashioned showdownsDUELS
50Sandwich requestONRYE
51PurposefulUTILE
52First responder: Abbr.EMT
56Flow slowlyOOZE
58DroidBOT
59In the pastAGO
60Get weepyCRY
61"__ Baba and the Forty Thieves"ALI
62Public health agcy.CDC
63Dennings of "WandaVision"KAT

Today's Washington Post Crossword answers

Today's solution appears above, laid out clue by clue — every Across answer followed by every Down answer, exactly as the grid reads. Because a full crossword shares so many crossings, one wrong letter can block a whole corner, so we list each answer separately: reveal only the one you need and keep solving the rest yourself. The grid is confirmed and refreshed daily as soon as the puzzle is published.

What is the Washington Post Crossword?

The Washington Post Crossword is the paper's free daily puzzle — a classic American 15×15 on weekdays (larger on Sunday), played at washingtonpost.com/games/crossword. It's known for fair, conversational cluing and approachable themes: a solid everyday solve that sits neatly between a quick mini and the toughest end of the NYT week. Millions of solvers treat it as a weekday habit, which is why a single tricky clue can send people hunting for just that one answer without spoiling the rest of the grid.

How the WaPo Crossword compares to other dailies

It shares the same 15×15 shape as the big American dailies, with its own editorial voice:

WaPoNYT (main)LA Times
Grid size15×15 (larger Sunday)15×15 (21×21 Sunday)15×15 (larger Sunday)
DifficultyAccessible, fairRamps to a hard SaturdayAccessible, smooth
CostFree onlineGames subscriptionFree online
Clue styleConversational themesHeavy wordplay, misdirectionFair, playful themes

Tips for solving the WaPo Crossword

  • Crack the theme early. Long theme answers often share a twist — spotting it hands you several entries at once.
  • Start with the fill-in-the-blanks. They're the quickest points and flood the grid with crossing letters.
  • Trust the crossings. A clue you can't get alone usually falls once its crossing words are in place.
  • Watch the endings. Plurals end in S, past-tense answers in ED — free letters once you notice the clue's tense.
  • Use the solver for one answer. Our crossword solver reveals a single clue's answer from your known letters, without spoiling the rest.

Browse past Washington Post Crossword answers

Every previous WaPo Crossword is archived on this page by date, with its full across and down solutions — handy for checking yesterday's grid or one you set aside. The archive updates automatically each day, so it stays complete without spoiling the current day. Stuck on a single clue, our crossword solver will reveal just that answer.

Browse more puzzles on the crossword solver, or use it to crack any clue from any publication.

Frequently asked questions

What are today's Washington Post Crossword answers?

The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (August 17, 2026) is listed at the top of this page, updated as soon as it's released.

Is the Washington Post Crossword free?

Yes — it's free to play online each day at washingtonpost.com/games/crossword, and our answers and clues are free too.

How do I see just one answer without spoiling the rest?

Each answer is listed separately, so you can reveal only the clue you're stuck on and keep solving the rest of the grid yourself.

How is the WaPo Crossword different from the WaPo Mini?

The daily crossword is a full 15×15 (larger on Sunday); the Mini is a tiny speed puzzle. Same publisher, different size and solve time.

Where can I find past Washington Post Crossword answers?

Every previous puzzle is in the archive on this page, listed by date with full solutions, updated automatically each day.

NYT Crossword Answers NYT Mini Crossword Answers Wordle Hint Today Connections Hint Today Strands Hint Today Quordle Hint Today Contexto Hint Today Spotle Hint Today Minute Cryptic Answer Today Pips Hint Today Jumble Answers Today 7 Little Words Answers