WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Monday’s Daily

By Justin Werfel · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1Confess (to)ADMIT
  2. 6__ at the moonHOWL
  3. 1023-Down fig.POL
  4. 13Extract, as minerals from soilLEACH
  5. 14Gobi Desert continentASIA
  6. 15Egg cellsOVA
  7. 16Avian scavengers with red headsTURKEYVULTURES
  8. 19Tread the boardsACT
  9. 20Feathery neckwearBOA
  10. 21Smitten Kitchen blogger PerelmanDEB
  11. 22Some QB protectorsRTS
  12. 24Neatens up text boxes, sayREALIGNS
  13. 27Hangry pleaFEEDME
  14. 29Demo releaseTRIALVERSION
  15. 31Secretly included on an emailBCCED
  16. 34Pop singer Carly __ JepsenRAE
  17. 35"The Incredibles" supersuit designer ModeEDNA
  18. 36Portuguese phone greetingALO
  19. 37Health retreatSPA
  20. 40Recipe amt.TSP
  21. 42Addams cousinITT
  22. 43Gambling town near TahoeRENO
  23. 45One of eight on an octopusARM
  24. 47SuppleLITHE
  25. 49Paperwork for leisure travelersTOURISTVISAS
  26. 53Nonprofit journalism agcy.APNEWS
  27. 54Most civilPOLITEST
  28. 58RottenBAD
  29. 5920-vol. lexiconOED
  30. 61Karate rankDAN
  31. 62Dallas City Hall architect I.M. __PEI
  32. 63Part of speech that requires a direct objectTRANSITIVEVERB
  33. 67Enter a raceRUN
  34. 68BenefitGAIN
  35. 69Baking tool with holesSIEVE
  36. 70Actress Adams of "The Muppets"AMY
  37. 71Fairy tale openingONCE
  38. 72Screen found in many a living room, or what 16-, 29-, 49-, and 63-Across can be calledTVSET

Down

  1. 1"I do" locationALTAR
  2. 2Card with two pipsDEUCE
  3. 3"Knives Out" protagonistMARTA
  4. 4"Grody!"ICK
  5. 5Hitchcock film with nonhuman villainsTHEBIRDS
  6. 6Capital of CubaHAVANA
  7. 7Columbus sch.OSU
  8. 8UntamedWILD
  9. 9Penalties for missing due datesLATEFEES
  10. 10__ favor: "please," in SpanishPOR
  11. 11Indulged too muchOVERDIDIT
  12. 12May, in JuneLASTMONTH
  13. 17Bear who steals "pic-a-nic" basketsYOGI
  14. 18__ Eats: DoorDash rivalUBER
  15. 23Upper house of CongressSENATE
  16. 25Cell service initialsLTE
  17. 26High-end camera, for shortSLR
  18. 28Language endingESE
  19. 30Large caskVAT
  20. 31Running tally of drinks at a pubBARTAB
  21. 32Pharaoh played by Elizabeth TaylorCLEOPATRA
  22. 33PuzzleCONUNDRUM
  23. 38Collects $200 in MonopolyPASSESGO
  24. 39Class with easelsART
  25. 41Least fancyPLAINEST
  26. 44Valuable excavation findORE
  27. 46Team VIPMVP
  28. 48Real or ideal suffixIST
  29. 50Cry of victoryIWON
  30. 51Antiseptic fluidIODINE
  31. 52Czech or PoleSLAV
  32. 55Olympic swordsEPEES
  33. 56Start a tennis rallySERVE
  34. 57Neighbor of NepalTIBET
  35. 60Gorilla researcher FosseyDIAN
  36. 64Indefinite amountANY
  37. 65Nervous twitchTIC
  38. 66"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" aunt, familiarlyVIV

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Confess (to) — Answer: ADMIT. Hint: Own up to wrongdoing with this candid verb. 🙋
  2. 6. __ at the moon — Answer: HOWL. Hint: A wolf might do this under a full moon. 🌕
  3. 10. 23-Down fig. — Answer: POL. Hint: This crossword abbreviation refers to a political figure. 🗳️
  4. 13. Extract, as minerals from soil — Answer: LEACH. Hint: Water can slowly draw dissolved minerals out of earth through this process. 💧
  5. 14. Gobi Desert continent — Answer: ASIA. Hint: The world's largest continent contains this famously arid region. 🌏
  6. 15. Egg cells — Answer: OVA. Hint: Tiny female reproductive cells doing the job of a single egg 🥚
  7. 16. Avian scavengers with red heads — Answer: TURKEYVULTURES. Hint: These broad-winged carrion eaters often soar over open country. 🦅
  8. 19. Tread the boards — Answer: ACT. Hint: Take the stage in a play or show. 🎭
  9. 20. Feathery neckwear — Answer: BOA. Hint: This flamboyant accessory drapes around the neck. 🪶
  10. 21. Smitten Kitchen blogger Perelman — Answer: DEB. Hint: The food writer behind Smitten Kitchen goes by this short first name. 🍳
  11. 22. Some QB protectors — Answer: RTS. Hint: These offensive linemen typically block on the quarterback's throwing side. 🏈
  12. 24. Neatens up text boxes, say — Answer: REALIGNS. Hint: It straightens and tidies text so the boxes line up again. 📐
  13. 27. Hangry plea — Answer: FEEDME. Hint: A hungry person might urgently make this two-word request. 🍔
  14. 29. Demo release — Answer: TRIALVERSION. Hint: This limited edition lets you test software before buying it. 💻
  15. 31. Secretly included on an email — Answer: BCCED. Hint: This past-tense email action hides recipients from one another. ✉️
  16. 34. Pop singer Carly __ Jepsen — Answer: RAE. Hint: This is the singer's middle name, heard in her stage name. 🎤
  17. 35. "The Incredibles" supersuit designer Mode — Answer: EDNA. Hint: This tiny fashion genius created the family's high-tech costumes. 🦸
  18. 36. Portuguese phone greeting — Answer: ALO. Hint: In Portugal, this brief word answers the telephone. ☎️
  19. 37. Health retreat — Answer: SPA. Hint: Book one of these for massages, saunas, or restorative treatments. 🧖
  20. 40. Recipe amt. — Answer: TSP. Hint: A tiny kitchen measure holds one-third of a tablespoon. 🥄
  21. 42. Addams cousin — Answer: ITT. Hint: This famously hairy Addams relative has a monosyllabic name. 👻
  22. 43. Gambling town near Tahoe — Answer: RENO. Hint: This Nevada city is famous for casinos and its proximity to the lake. 🎰
  23. 45. One of eight on an octopus — Answer: ARM. Hint: An octopus uses this flexible appendage to explore and grasp. 🐙
  24. 47. Supple — Answer: LITHE. Hint: This describes someone or something gracefully flexible. 🤸
  25. 49. Paperwork for leisure travelers — Answer: TOURISTVISAS. Hint: These official documents let vacationers enter another country. ✈️
  26. 53. Nonprofit journalism agcy. — Answer: APNEWS. Hint: This widely trusted news provider operates as a nonprofit cooperative. 📰
  27. 54. Most civil — Answer: POLITEST. Hint: This describes the person showing the greatest courtesy. 🤝
  28. 58. Rotten — Answer: BAD. Hint: A spoiled apple might be described this way. 🍎
  29. 59. 20-vol. lexicon — Answer: OED. Hint: This renowned dictionary traces the history of English words. 📚
  30. 61. Karate rank — Answer: DAN. Hint: This title marks an advanced level in martial arts. 🥋
  31. 62. Dallas City Hall architect I.M. __ — Answer: PEI. Hint: Supply the surname of the celebrated architect behind Dallas City Hall. 🏛️
  32. 63. Part of speech that requires a direct object — Answer: TRANSITIVEVERB. Hint: This kind of verb acts upon something or someone. ✍️
  33. 67. Enter a race — Answer: RUN. Hint: To participate in a marathon is to do this. 🏃
  34. 68. Benefit — Answer: GAIN. Hint: A useful advantage or improvement can be called this. 📈
  35. 69. Baking tool with holes — Answer: SIEVE. Hint: Use this perforated utensil to sift flour or strain ingredients. 🧁
  36. 70. Actress Adams of "The Muppets" — Answer: AMY. Hint: This actress has starred in films such as Arrival and Enchanted. 🎬
  37. 71. Fairy tale opening — Answer: ONCE. Hint: Many classic stories begin with this word. 🏰
  38. 72. Screen found in many a living room, or what 16-, 29-, 49-, and 63-Across can be called — Answer: TVSET. Hint: This household device displays shows, while the referenced entries share its familiar category. 📺

Down

  1. 1. "I do" location — Answer: ALTAR. Hint: Couples traditionally exchange vows at this ceremonial spot. 💍
  2. 2. Card with two pips — Answer: DEUCE. Hint: In a standard deck, this card bears a pair of suit symbols. 🃏
  3. 3. "Knives Out" protagonist — Answer: MARTA. Hint: This compassionate nurse is at the center of the murder mystery. 🔍
  4. 4. "Grody!" — Answer: ICK. Hint: A quick exclamation of disgust fits this reaction. 🤢
  5. 5. Hitchcock film with nonhuman villains — Answer: THEBIRDS. Hint: This suspenseful Hitchcock thriller turns a flock into a terrifying threat. 🐦
  6. 6. Capital of Cuba — Answer: HAVANA. Hint: This Caribbean capital is famous for colorful classic cars and colonial streets. 🚕
  7. 7. Columbus sch. — Answer: OSU. Hint: Think of the major university located in Columbus, Ohio. 🎓
  8. 8. Untamed — Answer: WILD. Hint: Something free from domestication or restraint fits here. 🌿
  9. 9. Penalties for missing due dates — Answer: LATEFEES. Hint: These extra charges appear when payments arrive after the deadline. 💸
  10. 10. __ favor: "please," in Spanish — Answer: POR. Hint: This tiny Spanish word means “for.” 🇪🇸
  11. 11. Indulged too much — Answer: OVERDIDIT. Hint: Someone who went beyond moderation could be described this way. 🍰
  12. 12. May, in June — Answer: LASTMONTH. Hint: On a calendar, this is the month immediately before June. 📅
  13. 17. Bear who steals "pic-a-nic" baskets — Answer: YOGI. Hint: This cartoon picnic-basket bandit lives in Jellystone Park. 🧺
  14. 18. __ Eats: DoorDash rival — Answer: UBER. Hint: This app delivers restaurant meals and other goods. 🛵
  15. 23. Upper house of Congress — Answer: SENATE. Hint: Congress’s chamber with two members from each state is sought here. 🏛️
  16. 25. Cell service initials — Answer: LTE. Hint: These initials name a high-speed mobile network standard 📶
  17. 26. High-end camera, for short — Answer: SLR. Hint: A professional camera type using a reflex mirror fits this abbreviation. 📷
  18. 28. Language ending — Answer: ESE. Hint: This suffix appears in names connected with languages or nationalities. 🔤
  19. 30. Large cask — Answer: VAT. Hint: A very large container for liquids or other materials fits this clue. 🛢️
  20. 31. Running tally of drinks at a pub — Answer: BARTAB. Hint: It records what a customer has accumulated at the counter. 🍻
  21. 32. Pharaoh played by Elizabeth Taylor — Answer: CLEOPATRA. Hint: Think of the famous Egyptian queen portrayed in the epic 1963 film. 👑
  22. 33. Puzzle — Answer: CONUNDRUM. Hint: A baffling problem or tricky question can be described this way. 🧩
  23. 38. Collects $200 in Monopoly — Answer: PASSESGO. Hint: A token earns this reward when it crosses the game’s starting space. 🎲
  24. 39. Class with easels — Answer: ART. Hint: Students in this class may spend the period drawing or painting. 🎨
  25. 41. Least fancy — Answer: PLAINEST. Hint: The most unadorned option is the one sought here. ✨
  26. 44. Valuable excavation find — Answer: ORE. Hint: A miner may uncover this useful natural resource underground ⛏️
  27. 46. Team VIP — Answer: MVP. Hint: This standout player earns the squad’s top honor 🏆
  28. 48. Real or ideal suffix — Answer: IST. Hint: This ending can describe someone devoted to a particular philosophy or style 🎓
  29. 50. Cry of victory — Answer: IWON. Hint: A triumphant declaration celebrates coming out on top 🎉
  30. 51. Antiseptic fluid — Answer: IODINE. Hint: This dark-colored chemical is commonly used to disinfect minor wounds 🩹
  31. 52. Czech or Pole — Answer: SLAV. Hint: Either person belongs to a broad Eastern European cultural family 🌍
  32. 55. Olympic swords — Answer: EPEES. Hint: Fencers use these narrow, thrusting weapons in competition 🤺
  33. 56. Start a tennis rally — Answer: SERVE. Hint: A player begins the exchange by sending the ball over the net 🎾
  34. 57. Neighbor of Nepal — Answer: TIBET. Hint: Look north of Nepal for this high-altitude region 🏔️
  35. 60. Gorilla researcher Fossey — Answer: DIAN. Hint: Her first name belongs to the famed scientist who studied mountain gorillas 🦍
  36. 64. Indefinite amount — Answer: ANY. Hint: This word refers to an unspecified quantity 🔢
  37. 65. Nervous twitch — Answer: TIC. Hint: A small involuntary movement can appear when someone is tense 😬
  38. 66. "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" aunt, familiarly — Answer: VIV. Hint: This sitcom aunt is commonly known by a friendly shortened first name 📺

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 30 August 2026WaPo Crossword 29 August 2026WaPo Crossword 28 August 2026WaPo Crossword 27 August 2026WaPo Crossword 26 August 2026WaPo Crossword 25 August 2026WaPo Crossword 24 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 31, 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
1Confess (to)ADMIT
6__ at the moonHOWL
1023-Down fig.POL
13Extract, as minerals from soilLEACH
14Gobi Desert continentASIA
15Egg cellsOVA
16Avian scavengers with red headsTURKEYVULTURES
19Tread the boardsACT
20Feathery neckwearBOA
21Smitten Kitchen blogger PerelmanDEB
22Some QB protectorsRTS
24Neatens up text boxes, sayREALIGNS
27Hangry pleaFEEDME
29Demo releaseTRIALVERSION
31Secretly included on an emailBCCED
34Pop singer Carly __ JepsenRAE
35"The Incredibles" supersuit designer ModeEDNA
36Portuguese phone greetingALO
37Health retreatSPA
40Recipe amt.TSP
42Addams cousinITT
43Gambling town near TahoeRENO
45One of eight on an octopusARM
47SuppleLITHE
49Paperwork for leisure travelersTOURISTVISAS
53Nonprofit journalism agcy.APNEWS
54Most civilPOLITEST
58RottenBAD
5920-vol. lexiconOED
61Karate rankDAN
62Dallas City Hall architect I.M. __PEI
63Part of speech that requires a direct objectTRANSITIVEVERB
67Enter a raceRUN
68BenefitGAIN
69Baking tool with holesSIEVE
70Actress Adams of "The Muppets"AMY
71Fairy tale openingONCE
72Screen found in many a living room, or what 16-, 29-, 49-, and 63-Across can be calledTVSET

Down

#ClueAnswer
1"I do" locationALTAR
2Card with two pipsDEUCE
3"Knives Out" protagonistMARTA
4"Grody!"ICK
5Hitchcock film with nonhuman villainsTHEBIRDS
6Capital of CubaHAVANA
7Columbus sch.OSU
8UntamedWILD
9Penalties for missing due datesLATEFEES
10__ favor: "please," in SpanishPOR
11Indulged too muchOVERDIDIT
12May, in JuneLASTMONTH
17Bear who steals "pic-a-nic" basketsYOGI
18__ Eats: DoorDash rivalUBER
23Upper house of CongressSENATE
25Cell service initialsLTE
26High-end camera, for shortSLR
28Language endingESE
30Large caskVAT
31Running tally of drinks at a pubBARTAB
32Pharaoh played by Elizabeth TaylorCLEOPATRA
33PuzzleCONUNDRUM
38Collects $200 in MonopolyPASSESGO
39Class with easelsART
41Least fancyPLAINEST
44Valuable excavation findORE
46Team VIPMVP
48Real or ideal suffixIST
50Cry of victoryIWON
51Antiseptic fluidIODINE
52Czech or PoleSLAV
55Olympic swordsEPEES
56Start a tennis rallySERVE
57Neighbor of NepalTIBET
60Gorilla researcher FosseyDIAN
64Indefinite amountANY
65Nervous twitchTIC
66"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" aunt, familiarlyVIV

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 31, 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