WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Friday’s Daily

By Patti Varol · Edited by Patti Varol

U
M
A
O
D
D
E
S
T
H
A
F
T
M
A
T
N
U
A
N
C
E
E
R
A
S
P
R
Y
E
A
T
T
H
E
C
L
O
C
K
I
P
A
D
S
O
W
H
A
U
T
E
A
N
I
M
A
L
A
J
A
S
I
D
R
A
C
E
Y
O
U
R
S
E
L
V
E
S
I
T
A
R
W
E
E
A
K
A
D
E
L
I
D
Y
L
A
N
M
P
E
G
C
E
O
A
I
L
P
A
L
E
R
O
A
D
W
A
Y
M
U
S
I
C
A
L
F
A
N
I
N
S
C
A
R
E
S
S
I
D
E
S
T
H
A
P
S
E
C
T
E
N
D
T
H
E
R
U
L
E
S
A
I
D
L
E
G
O
M
A
D
A
M
E
R
C
A
D
R
E
W
B
M
I
N
U
S
S
S
N

Across

  1. 1Thurman of "Red, White & Royal Blue"UMA
  2. 4Most unexpectedODDEST
  3. 10Axe handleHAFT
  4. 14Bath rugMAT
  5. 15SubtletyNUANCE
  6. 16Important stretchesERAS
  7. 17Go where one shouldn'tPRY
  8. 18Be time-consuming?EATTHECLOCK
  9. 20AirDrop tabletIPAD
  10. 22Female pigSOW
  11. 23__ cuisineHAUTE
  12. 24Drummer in the Electric MayhemANIMAL
  13. 26"Lessons in Chemistry" actress __ Naomi KingAJA
  14. 28TV writers __ and Marty KrofftSID
  15. 29Instruction from a lazy track coach?RACEYOURSELVES
  16. 33Russian news acronym until 2014ITAR
  17. 34MinuteWEE
  18. 35Pseudonym lettersAKA
  19. 36Lunch spotDELI
  20. 37"A Complete Unknown" subjectDYLAN
  21. 39Video file formatMPEG
  22. 43Corp. leaderCEO
  23. 45Feel ickyAIL
  24. 46Washed-outPALE
  25. 47"42nd Street," e.g.?ROADWAYMUSICAL
  26. 51Ceiling spinnerFAN
  27. 52__ and outsINS
  28. 53Show of affectionCARESS
  29. 54That is, in LatinIDEST
  30. 56Chance, quaintlyHAP
  31. 59Dissenting bodySECT
  32. 60Create a state of anarchy?ENDTHERULES
  33. 63Lend a handAID
  34. 65Toy brand with Creator 3-in-1 setsLEGO
  35. 66Title for Marie CurieMADAME
  36. 67Type of A/V connectorRCA
  37. 68Put pen to paperDREW
  38. 69So-so grade, or an apt title for this puzzleBMINUS
  39. 70Data breach fig.SSN

Down

  1. 1Official who works close to home?UMP
  2. 2StewMARINATE
  3. 3UnexpectedATYPICAL
  4. 4At some pointONEDAY
  5. 5"Dance the Night" singer LipaDUA
  6. 6Who __: New Orleans Saints fansDATS
  7. 7Opposite of exo-ENTO
  8. 8Unstressed vowel soundsSCHWAS
  9. 9Top pick?TEE
  10. 10Goddess of death played by Cate BlanchettHELA
  11. 11StimulateAROUSE
  12. 12"In all honesty ... "FACTIS
  13. 13Clucked in disapprovalTSKED
  14. 19Hopscotch player's supplyCHALK
  15. 21"Sweet land of liberty," in songAMERICA
  16. 24Very dryARID
  17. 25DirtLOWDOWN
  18. 27Patrick's "Star Trek: Picard" roleJEANLUC
  19. 30Short turnaround?UEY
  20. 31Pass alongRELAY
  21. 32Many a "What We Do in the Shadows" characterVAMPIRE
  22. 38ObjectiveAIM
  23. 40Indy 500 leadersPACECARS
  24. 41Rubber bandsELASTICS
  25. 42Salon arrayGELS
  26. 44Novelist WhartonEDITH
  27. 47"SNL" Emmy winner GildaRADNER
  28. 48JumpyONEDGE
  29. 49Meditation retreatASHRAM
  30. 50Mouths off toSASSES
  31. 51Area of studyFIELD
  32. 55Stash securelySTOW
  33. 57Bavaria-based automakerAUDI
  34. 58Map outPLAN
  35. 61Diplomatic HQEMB
  36. 62Bird in the bushEMU
  37. 64Karate levelDAN

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Thurman of "Red, White & Royal Blue" — Answer: UMA. Hint: She portrays the U.S. president in this royal rom-com 🎬
  2. 4. Most unexpected — Answer: ODDEST. Hint: Use the superlative for something especially unusual 🤯
  3. 10. Axe handle — Answer: HAFT. Hint: It is the sturdy grip attached to the tool’s head 🪓
  4. 14. Bath rug — Answer: MAT. Hint: This small floor covering keeps wet feet off the tiles 🛁
  5. 15. Subtlety — Answer: NUANCE. Hint: Look for a fine distinction or delicate shade of meaning 🎨
  6. 16. Important stretches — Answer: ERAS. Hint: These broad periods can define a civilization or career. ⏳
  7. 17. Go where one shouldn't — Answer: PRY. Hint: This means poking into matters that are not your business 👀
  8. 18. Be time-consuming? — Answer: EATTHECLOCK. Hint: Think of a sports strategy that uses up the remaining minutes ⏱️
  9. 20. AirDrop tablet — Answer: IPAD. Hint: Apple’s tablet can wirelessly receive files from nearby devices 📲
  10. 22. Female pig — Answer: SOW. Hint: This farm animal is the mother of a litter of piglets 🐷
  11. 23. __ cuisine — Answer: HAUTE. Hint: This French phrase describes high-end cooking 🍽️
  12. 24. Drummer in the Electric Mayhem — Answer: ANIMAL. Hint: The Muppets’ wild, orange-haired percussionist makes plenty of noise 🥁
  13. 26. "Lessons in Chemistry" actress __ Naomi King — Answer: AJA. Hint: She portrayed Harriet Sloane in the Apple TV+ adaptation 📺
  14. 28. TV writers __ and Marty Krofft — Answer: SID. Hint: His first name completes the famous brothers’ pairing ✍️
  15. 29. Instruction from a lazy track coach? — Answer: RACEYOURSELVES. Hint: This playful command tells runners to compete against their own pace 🏃
  16. 33. Russian news acronym until 2014 — Answer: ITAR. Hint: This former Russian news agency’s name was often paired with TASS 📰
  17. 34. Minute — Answer: WEE. Hint: Think of a charmingly old-fashioned word for something very small. 🐭
  18. 35. Pseudonym letters — Answer: AKA. Hint: These initials introduce another name or alias 🪪
  19. 36. Lunch spot — Answer: DELI. Hint: Stop here for sandwiches, salads, and prepared foods 🥪
  20. 37. "A Complete Unknown" subject — Answer: DYLAN. Hint: This musical biopic centers on a legendary singer-songwriter 🎸
  21. 39. Video file format — Answer: MPEG. Hint: This familiar digital format stores compressed video files 🎞️
  22. 43. Corp. leader — Answer: CEO. Hint: This executive typically runs the entire company 🏢
  23. 45. Feel icky — Answer: AIL. Hint: Be under the weather or feel unwell 🤒
  24. 46. Washed-out — Answer: PALE. Hint: Lacking vivid color or brightness 🎨
  25. 47. "42nd Street," e.g.? — Answer: ROADWAYMUSICAL. Hint: Think of a stage production named for a famous Manhattan thoroughfare 🎭
  26. 51. Ceiling spinner — Answer: FAN. Hint: An overhead device that circulates air 🌀
  27. 52. __ and outs — Answer: INS. Hint: These pair with “outs” to describe all the details 🔍
  28. 53. Show of affection — Answer: CARESS. Hint: A gentle touch can convey this tender feeling 💕
  29. 54. That is, in Latin — Answer: IDEST. Hint: Look for the classical phrase meaning “that is” 📜
  30. 56. Chance, quaintly — Answer: HAP. Hint: An old-fashioned word for luck or opportunity 🍀
  31. 59. Dissenting body — Answer: SECT. Hint: A group that breaks away from an established belief system ⛪
  32. 60. Create a state of anarchy? — Answer: ENDTHERULES. Hint: Imagine removing every governing rule from society ⚖️
  33. 63. Lend a hand — Answer: AID. Hint: Give a little help when someone’s in a bind 🤝
  34. 65. Toy brand with Creator 3-in-1 sets — Answer: LEGO. Hint: Think of the Danish brick-building brand with endlessly reusable pieces 🧱
  35. 66. Title for Marie Curie — Answer: MADAME. Hint: Use the formal French courtesy title for a married woman 🇫🇷
  36. 67. Type of A/V connector — Answer: RCA. Hint: Think of the familiar red, white, and yellow cable plugs 🔌
  37. 68. Put pen to paper — Answer: DREW. Hint: Committed an idea or picture to writing ✍️
  38. 69. So-so grade, or an apt title for this puzzle — Answer: BMINUS. Hint: A middling school mark also describes something less than stellar 📝
  39. 70. Data breach fig. — Answer: SSN. Hint: A stolen personal identifier tied to government records 🪪

Down

  1. 1. Official who works close to home? — Answer: UMP. Hint: Picture the baseball official stationed just behind the plate ⚾
  2. 2. Stew — Answer: MARINATE. Hint: Let food soak slowly in seasoned liquid before cooking 🍲
  3. 3. Unexpected — Answer: ATYPICAL. Hint: Not typical, usual, or fitting the normal pattern 🎲
  4. 4. At some point — Answer: ONEDAY. Hint: A vague future or past time can be described this way ⏳
  5. 5. "Dance the Night" singer Lipa — Answer: DUA. Hint: This pop star shares her first name with a short prayer word. 🎤
  6. 6. Who __: New Orleans Saints fans — Answer: DATS. Hint: This playful phrase imitates a fan's enthusiastic Southern-accented declaration. 🏈
  7. 7. Opposite of exo- — Answer: ENTO. Hint: In scientific terms, this prefix points inward rather than outward. 🔬
  8. 8. Unstressed vowel sounds — Answer: SCHWAS. Hint: These are the relaxed, neutral vowel sounds often heard in unstressed syllables. 🗣️
  9. 9. Top pick? — Answer: TEE. Hint: On a golf course, this is the little stand that elevates your first shot. ⛳
  10. 10. Goddess of death played by Cate Blanchett — Answer: HELA. Hint: This Marvel villain rules the realm of the dead in Asgardian mythology. ⚔️
  11. 11. Stimulate — Answer: AROUSE. Hint: To awaken interest, excitement, or desire is to do this. ⚡
  12. 12. "In all honesty ... " — Answer: FACTIS. Hint: This phrase introduces a candid statement of truth. 💬
  13. 13. Clucked in disapproval — Answer: TSKED. Hint: This describes making a sharp little sound to show annoyance or doubt. 😒
  14. 19. Hopscotch player's supply — Answer: CHALK. Hint: A sidewalk game needs this powdery tool for drawing its squares. 🟦
  15. 21. "Sweet land of liberty," in song — Answer: AMERICA. Hint: Those famous words praise the nation in a beloved patriotic hymn. 🇺🇸
  16. 24. Very dry — Answer: ARID. Hint: Deserts and drought-stricken regions are often described this way. 🏜️
  17. 25. Dirt — Answer: LOWDOWN. Hint: This can mean the revealing details or unvarnished truth about a matter. 🕵️
  18. 27. Patrick's "Star Trek: Picard" role — Answer: JEANLUC. Hint: This legendary captain is portrayed by Patrick Stewart. 🚀
  19. 30. Short turnaround? — Answer: UEY. Hint: A slangy term for a quick reversal of direction fits this playful clue. 🔄
  20. 31. Pass along — Answer: RELAY. Hint: Forward the message to its next recipient. 📩
  21. 32. Many a "What We Do in the Shadows" character — Answer: VAMPIRE. Hint: The mockumentary follows a houseful of these immortal night dwellers. 🧛
  22. 38. Objective — Answer: AIM. Hint: Think of the goal you’re trying to achieve 🎯
  23. 40. Indy 500 leaders — Answer: PACECARS. Hint: These vehicles control the field before racing begins and during cautions. 🏎️
  24. 41. Rubber bands — Answer: ELASTICS. Hint: These stretchy loops are handy for bundling papers or ponytails. 🪢
  25. 42. Salon array — Answer: GELS. Hint: A nail salon may display many colorful varieties of this polish type. 💅
  26. 44. Novelist Wharton — Answer: EDITH. Hint: She wrote The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth. 📚
  27. 47. "SNL" Emmy winner Gilda — Answer: RADNER. Hint: Think of the beloved original cast member known for memorable comic characters. 🎭
  28. 48. Jumpy — Answer: ONEDGE. Hint: This describes someone nervous and unable to relax. 😬
  29. 49. Meditation retreat — Answer: ASHRAM. Hint: Look to India for a spiritual community devoted to reflection. 🧘
  30. 50. Mouths off to — Answer: SASSES. Hint: This means cheekily talking back to someone. 🗯️
  31. 51. Area of study — Answer: FIELD. Hint: A broad subject or discipline can be called this. 📚
  32. 55. Stash securely — Answer: STOW. Hint: Tuck something away safely for later. 📦
  33. 57. Bavaria-based automaker — Answer: AUDI. Hint: Think of the German car brand with four interlocking rings. 🚗
  34. 58. Map out — Answer: PLAN. Hint: Decide the steps or route before setting out. 🗺️
  35. 61. Diplomatic HQ — Answer: EMB. Hint: This is a short form for an embassy. 🏛️
  36. 62. Bird in the bush — Answer: EMU. Hint: Picture a large, fast-running flightless bird from Australia. 🐦
  37. 64. Karate level — Answer: DAN. Hint: This denotes an advanced rank in martial arts. 🥋

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 27 August 2026WaPo Crossword 26 August 2026WaPo Crossword 25 August 2026WaPo Crossword 24 August 2026WaPo Crossword 23 August 2026WaPo Crossword 22 August 2026WaPo Crossword 21 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 28, 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
1Thurman of "Red, White & Royal Blue"UMA
4Most unexpectedODDEST
10Axe handleHAFT
14Bath rugMAT
15SubtletyNUANCE
16Important stretchesERAS
17Go where one shouldn'tPRY
18Be time-consuming?EATTHECLOCK
20AirDrop tabletIPAD
22Female pigSOW
23__ cuisineHAUTE
24Drummer in the Electric MayhemANIMAL
26"Lessons in Chemistry" actress __ Naomi KingAJA
28TV writers __ and Marty KrofftSID
29Instruction from a lazy track coach?RACEYOURSELVES
33Russian news acronym until 2014ITAR
34MinuteWEE
35Pseudonym lettersAKA
36Lunch spotDELI
37"A Complete Unknown" subjectDYLAN
39Video file formatMPEG
43Corp. leaderCEO
45Feel ickyAIL
46Washed-outPALE
47"42nd Street," e.g.?ROADWAYMUSICAL
51Ceiling spinnerFAN
52__ and outsINS
53Show of affectionCARESS
54That is, in LatinIDEST
56Chance, quaintlyHAP
59Dissenting bodySECT
60Create a state of anarchy?ENDTHERULES
63Lend a handAID
65Toy brand with Creator 3-in-1 setsLEGO
66Title for Marie CurieMADAME
67Type of A/V connectorRCA
68Put pen to paperDREW
69So-so grade, or an apt title for this puzzleBMINUS
70Data breach fig.SSN

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Official who works close to home?UMP
2StewMARINATE
3UnexpectedATYPICAL
4At some pointONEDAY
5"Dance the Night" singer LipaDUA
6Who __: New Orleans Saints fansDATS
7Opposite of exo-ENTO
8Unstressed vowel soundsSCHWAS
9Top pick?TEE
10Goddess of death played by Cate BlanchettHELA
11StimulateAROUSE
12"In all honesty ... "FACTIS
13Clucked in disapprovalTSKED
19Hopscotch player's supplyCHALK
21"Sweet land of liberty," in songAMERICA
24Very dryARID
25DirtLOWDOWN
27Patrick's "Star Trek: Picard" roleJEANLUC
30Short turnaround?UEY
31Pass alongRELAY
32Many a "What We Do in the Shadows" characterVAMPIRE
38ObjectiveAIM
40Indy 500 leadersPACECARS
41Rubber bandsELASTICS
42Salon arrayGELS
44Novelist WhartonEDITH
47"SNL" Emmy winner GildaRADNER
48JumpyONEDGE
49Meditation retreatASHRAM
50Mouths off toSASSES
51Area of studyFIELD
55Stash securelySTOW
57Bavaria-based automakerAUDI
58Map outPLAN
61Diplomatic HQEMB
62Bird in the bushEMU
64Karate levelDAN

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 28, 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