WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Wednesday’s Daily

By Max Schlenker · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1Cherubic godCUPID
  2. 6Spot for pore stripsNOSE
  3. 10Jumbled messHEAP
  4. 14Stunt show settingARENA
  5. 15Significant workOPUS
  6. 16Syllables for a stage magicianABRA
  7. 17Social pariahBLACKSHEEP
  8. 19Social media spammersBOTS
  9. 20RectitudeHONOR
  10. 21In flightALOFT
  11. 22Union agreement?IDO
  12. 25"All Eyez on Me" rapperTUPACSHAKUR
  13. 28Film technique derived from the French for "to assemble"MONTAGE
  14. 30"Not answering email," brieflyOOO
  15. 31FoxySLY
  16. 32Capitol canvas for "The Apotheosis of Washington"DOME
  17. 33JiltSPURN
  18. 35Laughs during an "SNL" appearance, sayBREAKSCHARACTER
  19. 42Settle, as a debtREPAY
  20. 43VibeAURA
  21. 44"Future Nostalgia" singer LipaDUA
  22. 47Some Eng. degreesBAS
  23. 48Truly fiendishSATANIC
  24. 51Drawing toy that uses aluminum powderETCHASKETCH
  25. 54Opening day pitcher, typicallyACE
  26. 55SAT prep subj.VOCAB
  27. 56"Thus with a kiss I die" heroROMEO
  28. 58Tirade in the Times, sayOPED
  29. 59Fast-food chain that began as a hot dog cart, and what this puzzle's circled letters do?SHAKESHACK
  30. 64Antler pointTINE
  31. 65FX drama about New York City's ball culturePOSE
  32. 66Magazine releaseISSUE
  33. 67Has a mealEATS
  34. 68Serve a meal toFEED
  35. 69Like a toddler mid-bathSOAPY

Down

  1. 1Zin alternativeCAB
  2. 2Link destinationURL
  3. 3Storied cause of royal insomniaPEA
  4. 4Progress slowlyINCH
  5. 5Actress FanningDAKOTA
  6. 6Pessimist's wordsNOHOPE
  7. 7"Fire Shut Up in My Bones," e.g.OPERA
  8. 8LitigateSUE
  9. 9Ability to see what others can'tESP
  10. 10"Se __ español"HABLA
  11. 11Paperless readsEBOOKS
  12. 12FoxyARTFUL
  13. 13Bakery offeringPASTRY
  14. 18Nesting cozilySNUG
  15. 21Now, in NicaraguaAHORA
  16. 22Cinephile's siteIMDB
  17. 23Cuckoo clock partDOOR
  18. 24"I'll pay this time"ONME
  19. 26Manilow's "hottest spot north of Havana," familiarlyCOPA
  20. 27Like a gooseberrySOUR
  21. 29Feature of some happy and sad emojiTEAR
  22. 33Slow to open upSHY
  23. 34Org. for Sarah Strong and Hannah HidalgoNCAA
  24. 36Shish __KEBAB
  25. 37Ice bath spotsSPAS
  26. 38Bourbon barrelCASK
  27. 39Protein in some meltsTUNA
  28. 40Comedian AndréERIC
  29. 41"RuPaul's Drag __"RACE
  30. 44Dedicate, as timeDEVOTE
  31. 45Harmonious societyUTOPIA
  32. 46Brogue, for oneACCENT
  33. 48Amped upSTOKED
  34. 49PeakACME
  35. 50Grad school hurdleTHESIS
  36. 52Disney villain with hair of blue flameHADES
  37. 53WipeERASE
  38. 57Quite a bitOHSO
  39. 59Tanning oil lettersSPF
  40. 60Weeding toolHOE
  41. 61Red __ beetASA
  42. 62Chalice, e.g.CUP
  43. 63Decryption needKEY

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Cherubic god — Answer: CUPID. Hint: This winged matchmaker is often shown with a bow and arrow. 🏹
  2. 6. Spot for pore strips — Answer: NOSE. Hint: A pore strip usually goes across the center of your face. 👃
  3. 10. Jumbled mess — Answer: HEAP. Hint: This describes a disorderly pile of things. 🧺
  4. 14. Stunt show setting — Answer: ARENA. Hint: Daredevils often perform before a crowd in this large venue. 🎪
  5. 15. Significant work — Answer: OPUS. Hint: A masterpiece or major artistic composition may earn this label. 🎼
  6. 16. Syllables for a stage magician — Answer: ABRA. Hint: These are the opening sounds of a famous magic incantation. ✨
  7. 17. Social pariah — Answer: BLACKSHEEP. Hint: This outsider is compared to the odd one in a flock. 🐑
  8. 19. Social media spammers — Answer: BOTS. Hint: Automated accounts often flood platforms with unwanted messages. 🤖
  9. 20. Rectitude — Answer: HONOR. Hint: This quality means moral uprightness and integrity. ⚖️
  10. 21. In flight — Answer: ALOFT. Hint: Something airborne is suspended high above the ground. ✈️
  11. 22. Union agreement? — Answer: IDO. Hint: A matrimonial yes can also sound like approval of a labor deal. 💍
  12. 25. "All Eyez on Me" rapper — Answer: TUPACSHAKUR. Hint: This influential hip-hop artist was known by a two-part stage name. 🎤
  13. 28. Film technique derived from the French for "to assemble" — Answer: MONTAGE. Hint: This editing style pieces together many shots into one sequence. 🎬
  14. 30. "Not answering email," briefly — Answer: OOO. Hint: A brief status tells colleagues that you are away from your inbox. 📧
  15. 31. Foxy — Answer: SLY. Hint: Someone described this way is cleverly crafty. 🦊
  16. 32. Capitol canvas for "The Apotheosis of Washington" — Answer: DOME. Hint: Look upward in the rotunda to find this grand architectural surface. 🏛️
  17. 33. Jilt — Answer: SPURN. Hint: To do this is to reject someone who hoped for affection. 💔
  18. 35. Laughs during an "SNL" appearance, say — Answer: BREAKSCHARACTER. Hint: A performer may do this when a scene becomes too funny to stay serious. 😂
  19. 42. Settle, as a debt — Answer: REPAY. Hint: Make good on what you owe and put the matter to rest 💸
  20. 43. Vibe — Answer: AURA. Hint: This invisible quality is the feeling someone or somewhere gives off. ✨
  21. 44. "Future Nostalgia" singer Lipa — Answer: DUA. Hint: This pop star teamed with Elton John on “Cold Heart.” 🎤
  22. 47. Some Eng. degrees — Answer: BAS. Hint: Certain undergraduate credentials appear in abbreviated form. 🎓
  23. 48. Truly fiendish — Answer: SATANIC. Hint: Devilish to the extreme. 😈
  24. 51. Drawing toy that uses aluminum powder — Answer: ETCHASKETCH. Hint: This handheld drawing device creates pictures with knobs and metallic dust. 🎨
  25. 54. Opening day pitcher, typically — Answer: ACE. Hint: A team’s top hurler may get this honor on day one. ⚾
  26. 55. SAT prep subj. — Answer: VOCAB. Hint: Word knowledge is a key focus for this test-prep subject. 📚
  27. 56. "Thus with a kiss I die" hero — Answer: ROMEO. Hint: Juliet’s tragic beloved speaks these final words. ❤️
  28. 58. Tirade in the Times, say — Answer: OPED. Hint: It’s a newspaper opinion piece. 📰
  29. 59. Fast-food chain that began as a hot dog cart, and what this puzzle's circled letters do? — Answer: SHAKESHACK. Hint: The circled letters may seem to move rhythmically, echoing a burger chain’s name. 🍔
  30. 64. Antler point — Answer: TINE. Hint: A deer’s antler branches at this spot. 🦌
  31. 65. FX drama about New York City's ball culture — Answer: POSE. Hint: This FX series explores the city’s vibrant ballroom scene. 📺
  32. 66. Magazine release — Answer: ISSUE. Hint: It’s a single edition of a periodical. 🗞️
  33. 67. Has a meal — Answer: EATS. Hint: This is what someone does at mealtime. 🍽️
  34. 68. Serve a meal to — Answer: FEED. Hint: Provide nourishment to someone hungry. 🍴
  35. 69. Like a toddler mid-bath — Answer: SOAPY. Hint: Covered in suds after washing. 🛁

Down

  1. 1. Zin alternative — Answer: CAB. Hint: It can take you across town or refer to a type of wine grape. 🚕
  2. 2. Link destination — Answer: URL. Hint: It’s the web address behind a clickable link. 🌐
  3. 3. Storied cause of royal insomnia — Answer: PEA. Hint: A tiny garden morsel famously kept a princess awake. 👑
  4. 4. Progress slowly — Answer: INCH. Hint: Move forward little by little, taking tiny steps at a time 🐢
  5. 5. Actress Fanning — Answer: DAKOTA. Hint: The younger Fanning sister starred in The Alienist and Uptown Girls. 🎬
  6. 6. Pessimist's words — Answer: NOHOPE. Hint: A gloomy outlook summed up in two bleak words. 🌧️
  7. 7. "Fire Shut Up in My Bones," e.g. — Answer: OPERA. Hint: It’s a work for singers and orchestra, such as this Terence Blanchard piece. 🎼
  8. 8. Litigate — Answer: SUE. Hint: Take a dispute to court ⚖️
  9. 9. Ability to see what others can't — Answer: ESP. Hint: A supposed sixth sense 🔮
  10. 10. "Se __ español" — Answer: HABLA. Hint: The Spanish verb meaning “speaks” 🗣️
  11. 11. Paperless reads — Answer: EBOOKS. Hint: Digital volumes for a screen reader 📱
  12. 12. Foxy — Answer: ARTFUL. Hint: Cleverly crafty or sly 🦊
  13. 13. Bakery offering — Answer: PASTRY. Hint: A flaky baked treat 🥐
  14. 18. Nesting cozily — Answer: SNUG. Hint: Settled in warm and comfortably 🛋️
  15. 21. Now, in Nicaragua — Answer: AHORA. Hint: The Spanish word for this moment ⏰
  16. 22. Cinephile's site — Answer: IMDB. Hint: A go-to online movie database 🎬
  17. 23. Cuckoo clock part — Answer: DOOR. Hint: A tiny entrance for the hourly bird 🚪
  18. 24. "I'll pay this time" — Answer: ONME. Hint: A friendly offer to cover the bill 💳
  19. 26. Manilow's "hottest spot north of Havana," familiarly — Answer: COPA. Hint: The famous nightclub from a Manilow hit 🎶
  20. 27. Like a gooseberry — Answer: SOUR. Hint: Tart rather than sweet 🍋
  21. 29. Feature of some happy and sad emoji — Answer: TEAR. Hint: A little drop can express strong feelings 😢
  22. 33. Slow to open up — Answer: SHY. Hint: Reticent around new people 🙈
  23. 34. Org. for Sarah Strong and Hannah Hidalgo — Answer: NCAA. Hint: The major U.S. collegiate athletics organization 🏀
  24. 36. Shish __ — Answer: KEBAB. Hint: This popular dish often features grilled meat on a skewer! 🍢
  25. 37. Ice bath spots — Answer: SPAS. Hint: Wellness retreats with soaking facilities 🧖
  26. 38. Bourbon barrel — Answer: CASK. Hint: A wooden vessel for aging whiskey 🥃
  27. 39. Protein in some melts — Answer: TUNA. Hint: A canned fish often paired with melted cheese 🐟
  28. 40. Comedian André — Answer: ERIC. Hint: The first name of the outrageous stand-up star 🎤
  29. 41. "RuPaul's Drag __" — Answer: RACE. Hint: It is the competition at the heart of this reality-TV title 🏁
  30. 44. Dedicate, as time — Answer: DEVOTE. Hint: Set aside your hours for a person, cause, or task ⏳
  31. 45. Harmonious society — Answer: UTOPIA. Hint: An imagined perfect world with peace and fairness 🌈
  32. 46. Brogue, for one — Answer: ACCENT. Hint: A regional way of speaking 🗣️
  33. 48. Amped up — Answer: STOKED. Hint: Highly energized and excited ⚡
  34. 49. Peak — Answer: ACME. Hint: The very highest point or level ⛰️
  35. 50. Grad school hurdle — Answer: THESIS. Hint: A major research paper defending an original idea 🎓
  36. 52. Disney villain with hair of blue flame — Answer: HADES. Hint: This underworld ruler appears in a fiery animated classic 🔥
  37. 53. Wipe — Answer: ERASE. Hint: Remove completely, as writing from a board 🧽
  38. 57. Quite a bit — Answer: OHSO. Hint: A casual expression meaning very much or notably so 😮
  39. 59. Tanning oil letters — Answer: SPF. Hint: These initials indicate protection from ultraviolet rays ☀️
  40. 60. Weeding tool — Answer: HOE. Hint: This gardening essential helps keep your plants tidy! 🌱
  41. 61. Red __ beet — Answer: ASA. Hint: This beet variety has a short, memorable name 🥬
  42. 62. Chalice, e.g. — Answer: CUP. Hint: A vessel used for drinking, often ornate 🏆
  43. 63. Decryption need — Answer: KEY. Hint: A secret tool that unlocks coded information 🔐

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 18 August 2026WaPo Crossword 17 August 2026WaPo Crossword 16 August 2026WaPo Crossword 15 August 2026WaPo Crossword 14 August 2026WaPo Crossword 13 August 2026WaPo Crossword 12 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 19, 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
1Cherubic godCUPID
6Spot for pore stripsNOSE
10Jumbled messHEAP
14Stunt show settingARENA
15Significant workOPUS
16Syllables for a stage magicianABRA
17Social pariahBLACKSHEEP
19Social media spammersBOTS
20RectitudeHONOR
21In flightALOFT
22Union agreement?IDO
25"All Eyez on Me" rapperTUPACSHAKUR
28Film technique derived from the French for "to assemble"MONTAGE
30"Not answering email," brieflyOOO
31FoxySLY
32Capitol canvas for "The Apotheosis of Washington"DOME
33JiltSPURN
35Laughs during an "SNL" appearance, sayBREAKSCHARACTER
42Settle, as a debtREPAY
43VibeAURA
44"Future Nostalgia" singer LipaDUA
47Some Eng. degreesBAS
48Truly fiendishSATANIC
51Drawing toy that uses aluminum powderETCHASKETCH
54Opening day pitcher, typicallyACE
55SAT prep subj.VOCAB
56"Thus with a kiss I die" heroROMEO
58Tirade in the Times, sayOPED
59Fast-food chain that began as a hot dog cart, and what this puzzle's circled letters do?SHAKESHACK
64Antler pointTINE
65FX drama about New York City's ball culturePOSE
66Magazine releaseISSUE
67Has a mealEATS
68Serve a meal toFEED
69Like a toddler mid-bathSOAPY

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Zin alternativeCAB
2Link destinationURL
3Storied cause of royal insomniaPEA
4Progress slowlyINCH
5Actress FanningDAKOTA
6Pessimist's wordsNOHOPE
7"Fire Shut Up in My Bones," e.g.OPERA
8LitigateSUE
9Ability to see what others can'tESP
10"Se __ español"HABLA
11Paperless readsEBOOKS
12FoxyARTFUL
13Bakery offeringPASTRY
18Nesting cozilySNUG
21Now, in NicaraguaAHORA
22Cinephile's siteIMDB
23Cuckoo clock partDOOR
24"I'll pay this time"ONME
26Manilow's "hottest spot north of Havana," familiarlyCOPA
27Like a gooseberrySOUR
29Feature of some happy and sad emojiTEAR
33Slow to open upSHY
34Org. for Sarah Strong and Hannah HidalgoNCAA
36Shish __KEBAB
37Ice bath spotsSPAS
38Bourbon barrelCASK
39Protein in some meltsTUNA
40Comedian AndréERIC
41"RuPaul's Drag __"RACE
44Dedicate, as timeDEVOTE
45Harmonious societyUTOPIA
46Brogue, for oneACCENT
48Amped upSTOKED
49PeakACME
50Grad school hurdleTHESIS
52Disney villain with hair of blue flameHADES
53WipeERASE
57Quite a bitOHSO
59Tanning oil lettersSPF
60Weeding toolHOE
61Red __ beetASA
62Chalice, e.g.CUP
63Decryption needKEY

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 19, 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