WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Wednesday’s Daily

By Zachary Gallardo · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1EmergedAROSE
  2. 6Korean-American grocery storeHMART
  3. 11Dim sum brewCHA
  4. 14Little solo breakMEDAY
  5. 15Camel's watering holeOASIS
  6. 16"That'll leave a mark!"OOF
  7. 17Programming problemENDLESSLOOP
  8. 19Scand. countryNOR
  9. 20ProboscisNOSE
  10. 21Feature of Canada's flagLEAF
  11. 22Nove minus unoOTTO
  12. 23SuspiciousSHADY
  13. 25Enclosed rhyme scheme in Petrarchan sonnetsABBA
  14. 27Turkish peakARARAT
  15. 30Clinton secretary of stateALBRIGHT
  16. 34Olympic gymnast with five moves named for herBILES
  17. 352025 Best Picture Oscar winnerANORA
  18. 36Letters of liability?IOU
  19. 37Dongle, e.g.ADAPTER
  20. 39Synagogue singersCANTORS
  21. 41"Exactly right!"YES
  22. 42__ Sports Bureau: stats giantELIAS
  23. 44"Punch-__ Love": Paul Thomas Anderson filmDRUNK
  24. 45Bible Belt stateARKANSAS
  25. 47SheltersHOUSES
  26. 48Altar siteAPSE
  27. 49ChangeCOINS
  28. 51Prometheus's giftFIRE
  29. 53"See ... "WELL
  30. 54Yellow brick road terrierTOTO
  31. 58Aussie hopperROO
  32. 59"Everyone in the water!," or when parsed differently, what can be found in each set of circled wordsABANDONSHIP
  33. 62Nocturnal bird of preyOWL
  34. 63__ GrasMARDI
  35. 64Unlike the restOTHER
  36. 65Young ladyGAL
  37. 66CliquePOSSE
  38. 67VociferousNOISY

Down

  1. 1"Exactly right!"AMEN
  2. 2City north of Carson CityRENO
  3. 3ProbabilitiesODDS
  4. 4Service promoterSALESREP
  5. 5Cyclone centerEYE
  6. 6SwindledHOSED
  7. 7__ bear: Southeast Asian forest dwellerMALAYAN
  8. 8SinceASOF
  9. 9Animated film about Spix's macawsRIO
  10. 10Baker's shortening?TSP
  11. 11Like laughter, sometimesCONTAGIOUS
  12. 1262-Across callHOOT
  13. 13Curly hairstyleAFRO
  14. 18Bed frame boardSLAT
  15. 22Japanese sashOBI
  16. 24Picks up the paceHASTENS
  17. 25Pokémon that ultimately evolves into AlakazamABRA
  18. 26Jason's "Beverly Hills, 90210" roleBRANDON
  19. 27Modest Muslim robeABAYA
  20. 28Bus passengerRIDER
  21. 29Sushi bite topped with salmonALASKAROLL
  22. 31Hairstyle that may begin with comb coilsLOCS
  23. 32"Stormy Weather" singer LenaHORNE
  24. 33Elephant pairTUSKS
  25. 35Operatic soloARIA
  26. 38If-then-__ statementELSE
  27. 40Leaves in the care ofTRUSTSTO
  28. 43ClimbsASCENDS
  29. 46Big galootAPE
  30. 47Big Island county seatHILO
  31. 50Throwback hitOLDIE
  32. 51Amphibious hopperFROG
  33. 52Corn Belt stateIOWA
  34. 53Major conflictsWARS
  35. 55"Didn't see you there!"OHHI
  36. 56KnotsTIES
  37. 57The Grand Ole __OPRY
  38. 59Metal box?AMP
  39. 60Dim sum bunBAO
  40. 61Persona __ grataNON

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Emerged — Answer: AROSE. Hint: A formal way to say someone or something came into view or existence. 🌅
  2. 6. Korean-American grocery store — Answer: HMART. Hint: A popular chain where shoppers find Korean and other Asian groceries. 🛒
  3. 11. Dim sum brew — Answer: CHA. Hint: This fragrant drink is a classic accompaniment to dumplings and other small bites. 🍵
  4. 14. Little solo break — Answer: MEDAY. Hint: A playful name for some personal time set aside to recharge. 🧘
  5. 15. Camel's watering hole — Answer: OASIS. Hint: This desert refuge provides precious water amid the sands. 🏜️
  6. 16. "That'll leave a mark!" — Answer: OOF. Hint: A brief cry after a painful bump or awkward mishap. 😣
  7. 17. Programming problem — Answer: ENDLESSLOOP. Hint: A bug that keeps repeating the same instructions without reaching an exit. 🔄
  8. 19. Scand. country — Answer: NOR. Hint: A crossword-friendly abbreviation for a nation on Scandinavia’s western side. 🗺️
  9. 20. Proboscis — Answer: NOSE. Hint: The facial feature used for smelling and breathing. 👃
  10. 21. Feature of Canada's flag — Answer: LEAF. Hint: Canada’s banner prominently displays a distinctive maple emblem. 🍁
  11. 22. Nove minus uno — Answer: OTTO. Hint: Do the arithmetic in Italian: nine minus one yields this number. ➖
  12. 23. Suspicious — Answer: SHADY. Hint: A person or situation that seems untrustworthy might be described this way. 🕵️
  13. 25. Enclosed rhyme scheme in Petrarchan sonnets — Answer: ABBA. Hint: The outer lines rhyme together, as do the inner lines, forming a classic literary pattern. 📜
  14. 27. Turkish peak — Answer: ARARAT. Hint: This legendary mountain in eastern Turkey is associated with Noah’s Ark. ⛰️
  15. 30. Clinton secretary of state — Answer: ALBRIGHT. Hint: She became the first woman to serve as America’s top diplomat. 🏛️
  16. 34. Olympic gymnast with five moves named for her — Answer: BILES. Hint: This decorated champion’s surname graces several daring gymnastics skills. 🤸
  17. 35. 2025 Best Picture Oscar winner — Answer: ANORA. Hint: This acclaimed film took home the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2025. 🏆
  18. 36. Letters of liability? — Answer: IOU. Hint: These three characters represent an informal promise to repay a debt. 💸
  19. 37. Dongle, e.g. — Answer: ADAPTER. Hint: It allows devices with different ports or connections to work together. 🔌
  20. 39. Synagogue singers — Answer: CANTORS. Hint: They lead or perform the musical prayers in many Jewish congregations. 🎶
  21. 41. "Exactly right!" — Answer: YES. Hint: A crisp affirmation that agrees completely. ✅
  22. 42. __ Sports Bureau: stats giant — Answer: ELIAS. Hint: This sports reference company is famous for compiling official statistics. 📊
  23. 44. "Punch-__ Love": Paul Thomas Anderson film — Answer: DRUNK. Hint: It completes the title of a film pairing punch with a troubled state. 🎬
  24. 45. Bible Belt state — Answer: ARKANSAS. Hint: This Southern state is often counted among the Bible Belt. 🗺️
  25. 47. Shelters — Answer: HOUSES. Hint: These can shelter people or serve as homes. 🏠
  26. 48. Altar site — Answer: APSE. Hint: Look toward the rounded sanctuary recess behind many altars. ⛪
  27. 49. Change — Answer: COINS. Hint: In a pocket, these may be small denominations returned after a purchase. 🪙
  28. 51. Prometheus's gift — Answer: FIRE. Hint: In myth, this elemental gift transformed human life. 🔥
  29. 53. "See ... " — Answer: WELL. Hint: This word can follow “See” as a friendly invitation to understand. 👀
  30. 54. Yellow brick road terrier — Answer: TOTO. Hint: Dorothy’s loyal little companion traveled the yellow brick road. 🐶
  31. 58. Aussie hopper — Answer: ROO. Hint: Use this casual Australian nickname for a kangaroo 🦘
  32. 59. "Everyone in the water!," or when parsed differently, what can be found in each set of circled words — Answer: ABANDONSHIP. Hint: A different parsing turns the apparent poolside shout into a command to leave a vessel. ⚓
  33. 62. Nocturnal bird of prey — Answer: OWL. Hint: This nighttime hunter is known for its silent flight and keen eyes. 🌙
  34. 63. __ Gras — Answer: MARDI. Hint: This festive season’s first word precedes Gras. 🎭
  35. 64. Unlike the rest — Answer: OTHER. Hint: This describes the one that doesn’t fit with the remainder. 🧩
  36. 65. Young lady — Answer: GAL. Hint: A casual term for a young woman fits here. 👒
  37. 66. Clique — Answer: POSSE. Hint: This informal group may stick together closely. 🤝
  38. 67. Vociferous — Answer: NOISY. Hint: A vociferous person is anything but quiet. 📣

Down

  1. 1. "Exactly right!" — Answer: AMEN. Hint: A brief word of emphatic agreement can also close a prayer. 🙏
  2. 2. City north of Carson City — Answer: RENO. Hint: Nevada’s capital has this city just to its north. 🏜️
  3. 3. Probabilities — Answer: ODDS. Hint: These express the likelihood of something happening. 🎲
  4. 4. Service promoter — Answer: SALESREP. Hint: This representative’s job is to drum up business for a service. 📣
  5. 5. Cyclone center — Answer: EYE. Hint: Look for the calm spot at the very heart of the storm. 👁️
  6. 6. Swindled — Answer: HOSED. Hint: If you were badly cheated, you might describe yourself this way. 😖
  7. 7. __ bear: Southeast Asian forest dweller — Answer: MALAYAN. Hint: This bear shares its name with a peninsula and country in Southeast Asia. 🐻
  8. 8. Since — Answer: ASOF. Hint: Think of a phrase meaning “from a particular time onward.” 🕰️
  9. 9. Animated film about Spix's macaws — Answer: RIO. Hint: This colorful animated adventure takes its title from a Brazilian city. 🎬
  10. 10. Baker's shortening? — Answer: TSP. Hint: A tiny kitchen measure gets a playful bakery makeover here. 🥄
  11. 11. Like laughter, sometimes — Answer: CONTAGIOUS. Hint: Some giggles spread from person to person like a yawn. 😂
  12. 12. 62-Across call — Answer: HOOT. Hint: Think of the sound an owl makes—or an enthusiastic cheer. 🦉
  13. 13. Curly hairstyle — Answer: AFRO. Hint: This rounded hairstyle is famously associated with natural curls. 💇
  14. 18. Bed frame board — Answer: SLAT. Hint: A narrow wooden strip helps support a mattress. 🛏️
  15. 22. Japanese sash — Answer: OBI. Hint: This traditional Japanese belt is worn around a kimono. 👘
  16. 24. Picks up the pace — Answer: HASTENS. Hint: When something speeds up, it does this. ⚡
  17. 25. Pokémon that ultimately evolves into Alakazam — Answer: ABRA. Hint: This sleepy Pokémon begins a path that eventually leads to a psychic powerhouse. ✨
  18. 26. Jason's "Beverly Hills, 90210" role — Answer: BRANDON. Hint: He was Jason Priestley’s well-known teen-drama character. 📺
  19. 27. Modest Muslim robe — Answer: ABAYA. Hint: This loose, full-length garment is commonly worn by Muslim women. 👗
  20. 28. Bus passenger — Answer: RIDER. Hint: On a bus, this person is along for the trip. 🚌
  21. 29. Sushi bite topped with salmon — Answer: ALASKAROLL. Hint: This sushi creation pairs rice and seaweed with salmon and a cool, creamy filling. 🍣
  22. 31. Hairstyle that may begin with comb coils — Answer: LOCS. Hint: This hairstyle can grow from carefully formed coils. 🌀
  23. 32. "Stormy Weather" singer Lena — Answer: HORNE. Hint: She was the acclaimed jazz singer who made “Stormy Weather” unforgettable. 🎶
  24. 33. Elephant pair — Answer: TUSKS. Hint: These curved ivory teeth give an elephant its distinctive profile. 🐘
  25. 35. Operatic solo — Answer: ARIA. Hint: In an opera, this is a solo showcase for a singer. 🎼
  26. 38. If-then-__ statement — Answer: ELSE. Hint: In programming, this word provides the alternative branch. 💻
  27. 40. Leaves in the care of — Answer: TRUSTSTO. Hint: Hands responsibility over to another person. 🤝
  28. 43. Climbs — Answer: ASCENDS. Hint: Moves upward, whether on stairs or in rank. ⬆️
  29. 46. Big galoot — Answer: APE. Hint: A large, clumsy fellow may be called this. 🦍
  30. 47. Big Island county seat — Answer: HILO. Hint: This Hawaiian city serves as Hawaii County’s seat. 🌺
  31. 50. Throwback hit — Answer: OLDIE. Hint: A familiar hit from years past earns this nostalgic label. 🎶
  32. 51. Amphibious hopper — Answer: FROG. Hint: This jumpy amphibian often starts life as a tadpole. 🐸
  33. 52. Corn Belt state — Answer: IOWA. Hint: This state is known for its corn production and is often called the Hawkeye State! 🌽
  34. 53. Major conflicts — Answer: WARS. Hint: These large-scale struggles involve nations or factions. ⚔️
  35. 55. "Didn't see you there!" — Answer: OHHI. Hint: It’s a playful, surprised greeting you might blurt out when someone suddenly appears. 😮
  36. 56. Knots — Answer: TIES. Hint: These can be knots or equal scores. 🎀
  37. 57. The Grand Ole __ — Answer: OPRY. Hint: Nashville’s famed country-music venue completes the phrase. 🎵
  38. 59. Metal box? — Answer: AMP. Hint: A small device that boosts an electric guitar’s signal fits this pun. 🎸
  39. 60. Dim sum bun — Answer: BAO. Hint: This steamed Chinese bun is often filled with savory meat. 🥟
  40. 61. Persona __ grata — Answer: NON. Hint: In the phrase, this short Latin word means “not.” 🚫

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 25 August 2026WaPo Crossword 24 August 2026WaPo Crossword 23 August 2026WaPo Crossword 22 August 2026WaPo Crossword 21 August 2026WaPo Crossword 20 August 2026WaPo Crossword 19 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 26, 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
1EmergedAROSE
6Korean-American grocery storeHMART
11Dim sum brewCHA
14Little solo breakMEDAY
15Camel's watering holeOASIS
16"That'll leave a mark!"OOF
17Programming problemENDLESSLOOP
19Scand. countryNOR
20ProboscisNOSE
21Feature of Canada's flagLEAF
22Nove minus unoOTTO
23SuspiciousSHADY
25Enclosed rhyme scheme in Petrarchan sonnetsABBA
27Turkish peakARARAT
30Clinton secretary of stateALBRIGHT
34Olympic gymnast with five moves named for herBILES
352025 Best Picture Oscar winnerANORA
36Letters of liability?IOU
37Dongle, e.g.ADAPTER
39Synagogue singersCANTORS
41"Exactly right!"YES
42__ Sports Bureau: stats giantELIAS
44"Punch-__ Love": Paul Thomas Anderson filmDRUNK
45Bible Belt stateARKANSAS
47SheltersHOUSES
48Altar siteAPSE
49ChangeCOINS
51Prometheus's giftFIRE
53"See ... "WELL
54Yellow brick road terrierTOTO
58Aussie hopperROO
59"Everyone in the water!," or when parsed differently, what can be found in each set of circled wordsABANDONSHIP
62Nocturnal bird of preyOWL
63__ GrasMARDI
64Unlike the restOTHER
65Young ladyGAL
66CliquePOSSE
67VociferousNOISY

Down

#ClueAnswer
1"Exactly right!"AMEN
2City north of Carson CityRENO
3ProbabilitiesODDS
4Service promoterSALESREP
5Cyclone centerEYE
6SwindledHOSED
7__ bear: Southeast Asian forest dwellerMALAYAN
8SinceASOF
9Animated film about Spix's macawsRIO
10Baker's shortening?TSP
11Like laughter, sometimesCONTAGIOUS
1262-Across callHOOT
13Curly hairstyleAFRO
18Bed frame boardSLAT
22Japanese sashOBI
24Picks up the paceHASTENS
25Pokémon that ultimately evolves into AlakazamABRA
26Jason's "Beverly Hills, 90210" roleBRANDON
27Modest Muslim robeABAYA
28Bus passengerRIDER
29Sushi bite topped with salmonALASKAROLL
31Hairstyle that may begin with comb coilsLOCS
32"Stormy Weather" singer LenaHORNE
33Elephant pairTUSKS
35Operatic soloARIA
38If-then-__ statementELSE
40Leaves in the care ofTRUSTSTO
43ClimbsASCENDS
46Big galootAPE
47Big Island county seatHILO
50Throwback hitOLDIE
51Amphibious hopperFROG
52Corn Belt stateIOWA
53Major conflictsWARS
55"Didn't see you there!"OHHI
56KnotsTIES
57The Grand Ole __OPRY
59Metal box?AMP
60Dim sum bunBAO
61Persona __ grataNON

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 26, 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