WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Monday’s Daily

By Janice Luttrell · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1"Dancing Queen" pop groupABBA
  2. 5"Wish I was there!" anxiety, for shortFOMO
  3. 9Department store chain headquartered in New York's Herald SquareMACYS
  4. 14Crystal ball gazerSEER
  5. 15Not of the clergyLAIC
  6. 16AnticipateAWAIT
  7. 17Fix for torn jeans, perhapsKNEEPATCH
  8. 19Dried beef snackJERKY
  9. 20Small brawlSETTO
  10. 21"Copperhead Road" singer SteveEARLE
  11. 23Near-failing gradeDEE
  12. 24Foil-wrapped chocolate dropHERSHEYSKISS
  13. 27Election season eventDEBATE
  14. 30Driver's approx.ETA
  15. 31Mined findORE
  16. 32Cartoon explorer with a talking backpackDORA
  17. 36"No big deal"ITSOK
  18. 40Gets a single, double, triple, and home run in one gameHITSFORTHECYCLE
  19. 44Hay fever soundACHOO
  20. 45Unwelcome campground visitorBEAR
  21. 46Do some sumsADD
  22. 47__ Angeles SparksLOS
  23. 49Loves a bunchADORES
  24. 52Accept unintended consequencesFACETHEMUSIC
  25. 58Abbreviation on a toothpaste boxADA
  26. 59Mexican coinsPESOS
  27. 60Many a Chopin piano pieceETUDE
  28. 64Phi Beta __KAPPA
  29. 66Ideal partners, and what can be found at the ends of 17-, 24-, 40-, and 52-Across?SOULMATES
  30. 68Everglades waderEGRET
  31. 69Jai __: fast-moving court gameALAI
  32. 70Competes (for)VIES
  33. 71Get to, as a destinationREACH
  34. 72Ivy League school in New HavenYALE
  35. 73Baby-voiced red MuppetELMO

Down

  1. 1InquiresASKS
  2. 2"Molto __": "Very good," in ItalianBENE
  3. 3Red root vegetableBEET
  4. 4"Respect" singer FranklinARETHA
  5. 5St. Pete's st.FLA
  6. 6Hall's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partnerOATES
  7. 7Old Testament book after JonahMICAH
  8. 8Autumn colourOCHRE
  9. 9MagnificentMAJESTIC
  10. 10Bowl overAWE
  11. 11Rapper __ BCARDI
  12. 12"Yowza!"YIKES
  13. 13Eyelid soresSTYES
  14. 18Ode writerPOET
  15. 22Caustic chemicalLYE
  16. 25Upgrade, as decorREDO
  17. 26"Teenage Dream" singer PerryKATY
  18. 27Capital of QatarDOHA
  19. 28"The Little Mermaid" princeERIC
  20. 29"Little Women" sister of Meg, Jo, and AmyBETH
  21. 33Poetic sphereORB
  22. 34Numbered hwy.RTE
  23. 35"Eureka!"AHA
  24. 37Injury reminderSCAR
  25. 38Merrie __ EnglandOLDE
  26. 39Sneaker brand since 1916KEDS
  27. 41One and onlySOLE
  28. 42Walking trailFOOTPATH
  29. 43Timeline unitsERAS
  30. 48That ladySHE
  31. 50Day, in LatinDIEM
  32. 51Eight-note intervalOCTAVE
  33. 52FraudFAKER
  34. 53Pithy bit of wisdomADAGE
  35. 54"It's a Wonderful Life" director FrankCAPRA
  36. 55Writing class assignmentESSAY
  37. 56SimoleonsMOOLA
  38. 57TypicalUSUAL
  39. 61Gas or elec.UTIL
  40. 62Consider to beDEEM
  41. 63Gas brand in CanadaESSO
  42. 65Chest muscle, for shortPEC
  43. 67FibLIE

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. "Dancing Queen" pop group — Answer: ABBA. Hint: Think of the Swedish quartet behind this iconic dance-floor hit. 🎶
  2. 5. "Wish I was there!" anxiety, for short — Answer: FOMO. Hint: This feeling strikes when you fear missing out on the fun. 😟
  3. 9. Department store chain headquartered in New York's Herald Square — Answer: MACYS. Hint: Picture the famous flagship department store overlooking Manhattan’s Herald Square. 🛍️
  4. 14. Crystal ball gazer — Answer: SEER. Hint: This mystic claims to glimpse what the future holds. 🔮
  5. 15. Not of the clergy — Answer: LAIC. Hint: Use this adjective for someone who is secular rather than clerical. ⛪
  6. 16. Anticipate — Answer: AWAIT. Hint: To do this is to wait expectantly for something. ⏳
  7. 17. Fix for torn jeans, perhaps — Answer: KNEEPATCH. Hint: A piece of fabric here can cover a hole in denim. 👖
  8. 19. Dried beef snack — Answer: JERKY. Hint: This chewy road-trip snack is made from seasoned dried meat. 🥩
  9. 20. Small brawl — Answer: SETTO. Hint: Think of a minor scuffle or brief tussle. 🥊
  10. 21. "Copperhead Road" singer Steve — Answer: EARLE. Hint: He is the roots-rock musician who sang this title track. 🎸
  11. 23. Near-failing grade — Answer: DEE. Hint: This school mark is just above the lowest passing assessment. 📝
  12. 24. Foil-wrapped chocolate drop — Answer: HERSHEYSKISS. Hint: It is a bite-sized chocolate treat famous for its shiny wrapper. 🍫
  13. 27. Election season event — Answer: DEBATE. Hint: Candidates often face off in one of these televised exchanges. 🎤
  14. 30. Driver's approx. — Answer: ETA. Hint: A driver may share this estimated arrival time. 🚗
  15. 31. Mined find — Answer: ORE. Hint: What you dig up from the ground when you strike it rich ⛏️
  16. 32. Cartoon explorer with a talking backpack — Answer: DORA. Hint: This young animated adventurer solves problems with help from her friends. 🗺️
  17. 36. "No big deal" — Answer: ITSOK. Hint: This reassuring phrase means everything is fine. 👍
  18. 40. Gets a single, double, triple, and home run in one game — Answer: HITSFORTHECYCLE. Hint: A batter accomplishes this rare feat by collecting every standard kind of hit. ⚾
  19. 44. Hay fever sound — Answer: ACHOO. Hint: This is the familiar noise of a sneeze. 🤧
  20. 45. Unwelcome campground visitor — Answer: BEAR. Hint: Keep your food secure when this large woodland animal wanders in. 🐻
  21. 46. Do some sums — Answer: ADD. Hint: When numbers come together, it's time to bring them closer! ➕
  22. 47. __ Angeles Sparks — Answer: LOS. Hint: Complete the California city name shared by this basketball team. 🏀
  23. 49. Loves a bunch — Answer: ADORES. Hint: Shows plenty of affection for a group. 💕
  24. 52. Accept unintended consequences — Answer: FACETHEMUSIC. Hint: Take responsibility for the fallout, even when it was unplanned. 🎵
  25. 58. Abbreviation on a toothpaste box — Answer: ADA. Hint: Look for the dental association’s approval mark. 🦷
  26. 59. Mexican coins — Answer: PESOS. Hint: These are the currency used across Mexico. 💰
  27. 60. Many a Chopin piano piece — Answer: ETUDE. Hint: It is a short composition written to develop a player’s technique. 🎹
  28. 64. Phi Beta __ — Answer: KAPPA. Hint: Complete the name of this prestigious academic honor society. 🎓
  29. 66. Ideal partners, and what can be found at the ends of 17-, 24-, 40-, and 52-Across? — Answer: SOULMATES. Hint: Think of perfectly matched partners, including the thematic pairings in those entries. 💞
  30. 68. Everglades wader — Answer: EGRET. Hint: This slender, long-legged marsh bird often stalks through shallow water 🐦
  31. 69. Jai __: fast-moving court game — Answer: ALAI. Hint: Fill in the name of this rapid Basque ball game. 🏐
  32. 70. Competes (for) — Answer: VIES. Hint: Strives against others to win or obtain something. 🏆
  33. 71. Get to, as a destination — Answer: REACH. Hint: Arrive at the place you were heading toward. 🧭
  34. 72. Ivy League school in New Haven — Answer: YALE. Hint: This renowned university calls Connecticut home. 🎓
  35. 73. Baby-voiced red Muppet — Answer: ELMO. Hint: Think of the cheerful red Sesame Street character who speaks in the third person. 🧸

Down

  1. 1. Inquires — Answer: ASKS. Hint: Puts a question out there politely 🤔
  2. 2. "Molto __": "Very good," in Italian — Answer: BENE. Hint: Complete this Italian expression meaning “very good.” 🇮🇹
  3. 3. Red root vegetable — Answer: BEET. Hint: This earthy vegetable can stain your hands and brighten a salad. 🥗
  4. 4. "Respect" singer Franklin — Answer: ARETHA. Hint: She was the legendary Queen of Soul behind that anthem. 🎤
  5. 5. St. Pete's st. — Answer: FLA. Hint: Use the postal abbreviation for Florida. 🌴
  6. 6. Hall's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partner — Answer: OATES. Hint: Name the duo member paired with Daryl Hall. 🎸
  7. 7. Old Testament book after Jonah — Answer: MICAH. Hint: Find the short prophetic book that follows Jonah. 📖
  8. 8. Autumn colour — Answer: OCHRE. Hint: Picture the earthy yellow-brown shade of fall leaves. 🍂
  9. 9. Magnificent — Answer: MAJESTIC. Hint: Describes something grand, regal, and awe-inspiring. 👑
  10. 10. Bowl over — Answer: AWE. Hint: Leave someone stunned with admiration 😲
  11. 11. Rapper __ B — Answer: CARDI. Hint: This rapper shares her first name with a heart-related prefix 🎤
  12. 12. "Yowza!" — Answer: YIKES. Hint: An exclamation of startled surprise 😮
  13. 13. Eyelid sores — Answer: STYES. Hint: These tender bumps can form along the edge of an eyelid 👁️
  14. 18. Ode writer — Answer: POET. Hint: Someone who crafts expressive verse ✍️
  15. 22. Caustic chemical — Answer: LYE. Hint: A powerful alkaline substance often used in soapmaking 🧼
  16. 25. Upgrade, as decor — Answer: REDO. Hint: Give the room a fresh makeover 🛋️
  17. 26. "Teenage Dream" singer Perry — Answer: KATY. Hint: This pop star shares her name with Perry 🎶
  18. 27. Capital of Qatar — Answer: DOHA. Hint: Qatar’s glittering coastal capital 🌆
  19. 28. "The Little Mermaid" prince — Answer: ERIC. Hint: A handsome royal who falls for Ariel 🧜‍♂️
  20. 29. "Little Women" sister of Meg, Jo, and Amy — Answer: BETH. Hint: The gentle March sister known for her kindness 📖
  21. 33. Poetic sphere — Answer: ORB. Hint: A round celestial image fit for a verse 🌕
  22. 34. Numbered hwy. — Answer: RTE. Hint: A shortened way to label a numbered road 🛣️
  23. 35. "Eureka!" — Answer: AHA. Hint: Sometimes a moment of realization comes out as a joyful exclamation! 🎉
  24. 37. Injury reminder — Answer: SCAR. Hint: A lasting mark that recalls an old wound 🩹
  25. 38. Merrie __ England — Answer: OLDE. Hint: A quaintly archaic word used in this nostalgic phrase 🏰
  26. 39. Sneaker brand since 1916 — Answer: KEDS. Hint: This classic footwear label has been stepping out for over a century 👟
  27. 41. One and only — Answer: SOLE. Hint: The single option, with no rival 👑
  28. 42. Walking trail — Answer: FOOTPATH. Hint: A route designed for pedestrians rather than cars 🚶
  29. 43. Timeline units — Answer: ERAS. Hint: Broad stretches of history marked by distinctive cultures ⏳
  30. 48. That lady — Answer: SHE. Hint: Think of a word that refers to a female without using her name. 💁‍♀️
  31. 50. Day, in Latin — Answer: DIEM. Hint: The Latin word appearing in a famous phrase about seizing the day 📜
  32. 51. Eight-note interval — Answer: OCTAVE. Hint: A musical span covering eight consecutive notes 🎼
  33. 52. Fraud — Answer: FAKER. Hint: Someone pretending to be something they are not 🎭
  34. 53. Pithy bit of wisdom — Answer: ADAGE. Hint: A concise saying that offers practical wisdom 📜
  35. 54. "It's a Wonderful Life" director Frank — Answer: CAPRA. Hint: The filmmaker behind this beloved holiday classic 🎬
  36. 55. Writing class assignment — Answer: ESSAY. Hint: A structured piece of writing on a chosen topic ✍️
  37. 56. Simoleons — Answer: MOOLA. Hint: An informal term for cash 💵
  38. 57. Typical — Answer: USUAL. Hint: Ordinary or generally expected 🔄
  39. 61. Gas or elec. — Answer: UTIL. Hint: A household service often billed monthly 🧾
  40. 62. Consider to be — Answer: DEEM. Hint: To regard something as being a certain way 🤔
  41. 63. Gas brand in Canada — Answer: ESSO. Hint: A familiar fuel-station name north of the border ⛽
  42. 65. Chest muscle, for short — Answer: PEC. Hint: A gym-goer might flex this upper-body muscle 💪
  43. 67. Fib — Answer: LIE. Hint: Sometimes it's just a little white one to avoid hurting feelings! 🤫

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 23 August 2026WaPo Crossword 22 August 2026WaPo Crossword 21 August 2026WaPo Crossword 20 August 2026WaPo Crossword 19 August 2026WaPo Crossword 18 August 2026WaPo Crossword 17 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 24, 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
1"Dancing Queen" pop groupABBA
5"Wish I was there!" anxiety, for shortFOMO
9Department store chain headquartered in New York's Herald SquareMACYS
14Crystal ball gazerSEER
15Not of the clergyLAIC
16AnticipateAWAIT
17Fix for torn jeans, perhapsKNEEPATCH
19Dried beef snackJERKY
20Small brawlSETTO
21"Copperhead Road" singer SteveEARLE
23Near-failing gradeDEE
24Foil-wrapped chocolate dropHERSHEYSKISS
27Election season eventDEBATE
30Driver's approx.ETA
31Mined findORE
32Cartoon explorer with a talking backpackDORA
36"No big deal"ITSOK
40Gets a single, double, triple, and home run in one gameHITSFORTHECYCLE
44Hay fever soundACHOO
45Unwelcome campground visitorBEAR
46Do some sumsADD
47__ Angeles SparksLOS
49Loves a bunchADORES
52Accept unintended consequencesFACETHEMUSIC
58Abbreviation on a toothpaste boxADA
59Mexican coinsPESOS
60Many a Chopin piano pieceETUDE
64Phi Beta __KAPPA
66Ideal partners, and what can be found at the ends of 17-, 24-, 40-, and 52-Across?SOULMATES
68Everglades waderEGRET
69Jai __: fast-moving court gameALAI
70Competes (for)VIES
71Get to, as a destinationREACH
72Ivy League school in New HavenYALE
73Baby-voiced red MuppetELMO

Down

#ClueAnswer
1InquiresASKS
2"Molto __": "Very good," in ItalianBENE
3Red root vegetableBEET
4"Respect" singer FranklinARETHA
5St. Pete's st.FLA
6Hall's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partnerOATES
7Old Testament book after JonahMICAH
8Autumn colourOCHRE
9MagnificentMAJESTIC
10Bowl overAWE
11Rapper __ BCARDI
12"Yowza!"YIKES
13Eyelid soresSTYES
18Ode writerPOET
22Caustic chemicalLYE
25Upgrade, as decorREDO
26"Teenage Dream" singer PerryKATY
27Capital of QatarDOHA
28"The Little Mermaid" princeERIC
29"Little Women" sister of Meg, Jo, and AmyBETH
33Poetic sphereORB
34Numbered hwy.RTE
35"Eureka!"AHA
37Injury reminderSCAR
38Merrie __ EnglandOLDE
39Sneaker brand since 1916KEDS
41One and onlySOLE
42Walking trailFOOTPATH
43Timeline unitsERAS
48That ladySHE
50Day, in LatinDIEM
51Eight-note intervalOCTAVE
52FraudFAKER
53Pithy bit of wisdomADAGE
54"It's a Wonderful Life" director FrankCAPRA
55Writing class assignmentESSAY
56SimoleonsMOOLA
57TypicalUSUAL
61Gas or elec.UTIL
62Consider to beDEEM
63Gas brand in CanadaESSO
65Chest muscle, for shortPEC
67FibLIE

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 24, 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