Doesn’t play

Crossword Answer — July 26, 2026

Answer

Stays on the sidelines instead of joining in 😊

WSJ Crossword

Sunday, July 26, 2026

By Freddie Cheng · Edited by Mike Shenk

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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

WSJ Crossword Clues

Across

  1. 1In support of
  2. 4Farfalle or fusilli, for example
  3. 9Taunting remarks
  4. 14Anger
  5. 15Polite way to eat udon, in Japan
  6. 16Oil platform?
  7. 17Aquatic rescue ring
  8. 19Committed to paper
  9. 20A bit wet
  10. 21Big shot, for short
  11. 23Capote, to his pals
  12. 24Scat legend Fitzgerald
  13. 25Subject of some down-vs.-up arguments
  14. 29Misleads
  15. 31Spot for a sermon
  16. 32Roast host
  17. 35Splices a movie together, say
  18. 36Cassette successor
  19. 39Part of a chain, perhaps
  20. 41Rakish fellows
  21. 42Pies served hot
  22. 44Target of statistical analysis
  23. 49Aromatic breakfast item
  24. 52Bangkok language
  25. 53Be behind
  26. 54Knee part often injured in sports, for short
  27. 55Lightning producer
  28. 56Grows dimmer
  29. 59Golfer’s dream shot, and what 17-, 25-, 36- and 49-Across each have
  30. 62Break out, as fighting
  31. 63Marking on a calendar
  32. 64Unagi roll ingredient
  33. 65Settle, as a debt
  34. 66Monopoly stack
  35. 67Not wet

Down

  1. 1Made movies
  2. 2Baltimore baseballer
  3. 3Coffee request at a diner
  4. 4Audible alternative to a tap on the shoulder
  5. 5Chicken ___ king
  6. 6Minivan’s kin, for short
  7. 7Famed Roman fountain
  8. 8Tax-filing month
  9. 9Synagogue attendee
  10. 10Knack for music
  11. 11Difficult to understand
  12. 12Take back, as an accusation
  13. 13Gumshoes
  14. 18Jacob’s twin
  15. 22Chest muscle, informally
  16. 25Day worker
  17. 26Statuette for Streep
  18. 27Believer in a god
  19. 28Beer, slangily
  20. 30Belittle
  21. 33Green prefix
  22. 34Musical exercise piece
  23. 36Got friendly
  24. 37Rice-shaped 4-Across
  25. 38Good bargain
  26. 39Parodist
  27. 40Products sold by Yankee peddlers
  28. 43Org. that aids mom-and-pop companies
  29. 45Abbr. for a letter recipient
  30. 46Chased away
  31. 47Salary recipient
  32. 48Opportune
  33. 50Felt sore
  34. 51Fielding need
  35. 55Doesn’t play
  36. 57Water-monitoring org.
  37. 58Place for pigs
  38. 60Bruce of martial arts movies
  39. 61Finish

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. In support of — Answer: FOR. Hint: Backing the cause, not against it 🤝
  2. 4. Farfalle or fusilli, for example — Answer: PASTA. Hint: A bowlful of twisty Italian comfort food 🍝
  3. 9. Taunting remarks — Answer: JEERS. Hint: Sharp little digs tossed at someone in a crowd 😏
  4. 14. Anger — Answer: IRE. Hint: A fiery little feeling that flares up fast 🔥
  5. 15. Polite way to eat udon, in Japan — Answer: SLURP. Hint: A noodle-no-no elsewhere, but perfectly courteous in Japan 🍜
  6. 16. Oil platform? — Answer: EASEL. Hint: A painter’s support can also sound like a place for drilling 😄
  7. 17. Aquatic rescue ring — Answer: LIFESAVER. Hint: A buoyant helper tossed to someone in trouble at sea 🛟
  8. 19. Committed to paper — Answer: WROTE. Hint: Put it in writing, not just in your head ✍️
  9. 20. A bit wet — Answer: MOIST. Hint: Just slightly damp, not dripping 💧
  10. 21. Big shot, for short — Answer: VIP. Hint: A very important person gets the red-carpet treatment 🌟
  11. 23. Capote, to his pals — Answer: TRU. Hint: A familiar nickname for Truman Capote among friends 😄
  12. 24. Scat legend Fitzgerald — Answer: ELLA. Hint: Jazz’s first lady had a voice that could swing a room 🎤
  13. 25. Subject of some down-vs.-up arguments — Answer: TOILETSEAT. Hint: A household throne that can spark a surprisingly heated debate about its position 🚽
  14. 29. Misleads — Answer: DELUDES. Hint: Pulls the wool over someone’s eyes 🤥
  15. 31. Spot for a sermon — Answer: CHURCH. Hint: Where a Sunday message might be delivered ⛪
  16. 32. Roast host — Answer: EMCEE. Hint: The one doing the roasting is also the one holding the mic at the party 🎤
  17. 35. Splices a movie together, say — Answer: EDITS. Hint: Does the post-production magic on a film, for example 🎬
  18. 36. Cassette successor — Answer: COMPACTDISC. Hint: The shiny little disc that took over music stores after tapes faded away 💿
  19. 39. Part of a chain, perhaps — Answer: STORE. Hint: A place that might hang among many others in a retail lineup 🛍️
  20. 41. Rakish fellows — Answer: ROUES. Hint: Old-school men about town with a shady charm 😏
  21. 42. Pies served hot — Answer: PIZZAS. Hint: Round, cheesy slices that vanish fast when they’re fresh from the oven 🍕
  22. 44. Target of statistical analysis — Answer: DATASET. Hint: What a statistician might study as a whole bundle of information 📊
  23. 49. Aromatic breakfast item — Answer: ONIONBAGEL. Hint: A savory ring that can make your morning breath a little bolder 😄
  24. 52. Bangkok language — Answer: THAI. Hint: It’s the language you’d hear in Thailand’s bustling capital. 🇹🇭
  25. 53. Be behind — Answer: OWE. Hint: What you still have after borrowing from someone 🙂
  26. 54. Knee part often injured in sports, for short — Answer: ACL. Hint: A key knee ligament that athletes hear about way too often 🏃
  27. 55. Lightning producer — Answer: STORM. Hint: It’s the kind of weather that can really make a scene 🌩️
  28. 56. Grows dimmer — Answer: FADES. Hint: Like a sunset losing its glow 🌅
  29. 59. Golfer’s dream shot, and what 17-, 25-, 36- and 49-Across each have — Answer: HOLEINONE. Hint: A perfect tee-to-green miracle, and the kind of thing each of those long entries shares on the scoreboard ⛳
  30. 62. Break out, as fighting — Answer: ERUPT. Hint: Think of a volcano suddenly getting into the fight 🌋
  31. 63. Marking on a calendar — Answer: EVENT. Hint: A special date to circle on the calendar 📅
  32. 64. Unagi roll ingredient — Answer: EEL. Hint: A slippery little swimmer often tucked into sushi rolls 🐟
  33. 65. Settle, as a debt — Answer: REPAY. Hint: Make good on what you owe and put the matter to rest 💸
  34. 66. Monopoly stack — Answer: DEEDS. Hint: Paper titles you keep when you own the block 🏠
  35. 67. Not wet — Answer: DRY. Hint: Like a towel after a good squeeze, with no moisture left behind 🏜️

Down

  1. 1. Made movies — Answer: FILMED. Hint: Shot scenes and captured them on camera 🎬
  2. 2. Baltimore baseballer — Answer: ORIOLE. Hint: A feathered team name points to Baltimore’s ballpark bird 🐦
  3. 3. Coffee request at a diner — Answer: REFILL. Hint: What you ask for when your mug’s gone mysteriously empty ☕
  4. 4. Audible alternative to a tap on the shoulder — Answer: PSST. Hint: A soft little sound used to get someone’s attention without making a scene 🤫
  5. 5. Chicken ___ king — Answer: ALA. Hint: This phrase often refers to a popular sandwich chain known for its poultry offerings! 🍔
  6. 6. Minivan’s kin, for short — Answer: SUV. Hint: A boxy ride that’s a close cousin to a minivan 📦
  7. 7. Famed Roman fountain — Answer: TREVI. Hint: Rome’s most famous coin-tossing fountain awaits 🌊
  8. 8. Tax-filing month — Answer: APRIL. Hint: The month that usually brings deadlines and a little paperwork stress 📄
  9. 9. Synagogue attendee — Answer: JEW. Hint: A regular at the temple, in a very broad sense ✡️
  10. 10. Knack for music — Answer: EAR. Hint: The kind of talent that lets you pick up a tune by ear 🎵
  11. 11. Difficult to understand — Answer: ESOTERIC. Hint: So obscure it feels like a secret handshake 🧩
  12. 12. Take back, as an accusation — Answer: RETRACT. Hint: Pull it back and make it sound like it was never said 😅
  13. 13. Gumshoes — Answer: SLEUTHS. Hint: They’re the ones poking around for clues instead of chewing them up 🕵️
  14. 18. Jacob’s twin — Answer: ESAU. Hint: Biblical sibling who traded birthright for stew 😏
  15. 22. Chest muscle, informally — Answer: PEC. Hint: Bodybuilder shorthand for that upper-bench muscle 💪
  16. 25. Day worker — Answer: TEMP. Hint: A short-term helper on the clock, not the permanent kind ⏱️
  17. 26. Statuette for Streep — Answer: OSCAR. Hint: Meryl Streep’s trophy shelf has one of these little golden prizes 🎬
  18. 27. Believer in a god — Answer: THEIST. Hint: Someone who believes a deity exists, not just a possibility 🤔
  19. 28. Beer, slangily — Answer: SUDS. Hint: A frothy, casual word for beer in a glass 🍺
  20. 30. Belittle — Answer: DEMEAN. Hint: To belittle someone is to talk to them as if they’re beneath you 😏
  21. 33. Green prefix — Answer: ECO. Hint: Think about a term often associated with sustainability and the environment! 🌍
  22. 34. Musical exercise piece — Answer: ETUDE. Hint: A practice piece that musicians use to sharpen their technique 🎹
  23. 36. Got friendly — Answer: COZIEDUP. Hint: Became warm and snug with someone, like settling in closer than usual 🤝
  24. 37. Rice-shaped 4-Across — Answer: ORZO. Hint: Tiny pasta that looks like little grains of rice 🍚
  25. 38. Good bargain — Answer: DEAL. Hint: A sweet agreement that leaves both sides feeling like they won something 🤝
  26. 39. Parodist — Answer: SPOOFER. Hint: A playful imitator who copies others for laughs 🎭
  27. 40. Products sold by Yankee peddlers — Answer: TINWARE. Hint: Old-time traveling sellers often hauled these shiny kitchen goods around 🥧
  28. 43. Org. that aids mom-and-pop companies — Answer: SBA. Hint: Small-business help from a federal source 😄
  29. 45. Abbr. for a letter recipient — Answer: ATTN. Hint: A mailroom cue that tells correspondence who it’s meant for 📬
  30. 46. Chased away — Answer: SHOOED. Hint: Gently told to go, like a pesky bird from the porch 🐦
  31. 47. Salary recipient — Answer: EARNER. Hint: Someone who gets paid for their work is this kind of person 💼
  32. 48. Opportune — Answer: TIMELY. Hint: Right on schedule, not a moment too soon ⏰
  33. 50. Felt sore — Answer: ACHED. Hint: Past-tense discomfort, like muscles after a long day 🥴
  34. 51. Fielding need — Answer: GLOVE. Hint: What a catcher wears to make the play easier 🧤
  35. 55. Doesn’t play — Answer: SITS. Hint: Stays on the sidelines instead of joining in 😊
  36. 57. Water-monitoring org. — Answer: EPA. Hint: U.S. agency that keeps an eye on rivers, air, and other environmental worries 🌊
  37. 58. Place for pigs — Answer: STY. Hint: A cozy little pen where pigs hang out 🐷
  38. 60. Bruce of martial arts movies — Answer: LEE. Hint: A famous karate-flick star with lightning moves and a legendary name 😎
  39. 61. Finish — Answer: END. Hint: It's what happens when something comes to a close! 🛑

The answer to “Doesn’t play” in the Wall Street Journal crossword is SITS — a 4-letter word. This clue ran in the Wall Street Journal crossword on July 26, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 55-Down. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.

“Doesn’t play” answer

SITS (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is SITS.

Why the answer is SITS

Stays on the sidelines instead of joining in 😊

When else has “Doesn’t play” appeared?

Wall Street Journal reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.

July 26, 2026 (this puzzle) → SITS. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the WSJ crossword on July 26, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

Want every clue in one place? The full Wall Street Journal answer list for July 26, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live WSJ answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the WSJ Crossword

The Wall Street Journal Crossword is a free daily 15×15 (larger for the end-of-week themed grid), edited by Mike Shenk and known for clean, fair cluing with a business and finance streak. This page covers a Sunday puzzle. The WSJ also runs a contest (meta) crossword whose answer hides inside the finished grid, so its long theme entries tend to carry extra weight. Locking one confirmed mid-length answer usually opens the crossings around it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Doesn’t play”?

The answer is SITS, a 4-letter word. It appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on July 26, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Doesn’t play”?

4 letters: SITS.

Where did this clue appear?

In the Wall Street Journal crossword on July 26, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 55-Down.

Can “Doesn’t play” have a different answer?

Yes — Wall Street Journal sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's WSJ answers?

The full grid for July 26, 2026 is on the WSJ answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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