WSJ Crossword Answers - Aug 6

Of Vital Importance

By Matt Gaffney · Edited by Mike Shenk

Contest: The answer to this week’s contest crossword is a seven-letter word.

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Across

  1. 1ObjectiveAIM
  2. 4Drop of despairTEAR
  3. 8Green guy, brieflySTPAT
  4. 13Creature not known for speedSLUG
  5. 15Range roundsAMMO
  6. 16Animal in the Chinese zodiacHORSE
  7. 17Gucci of fashionALDO
  8. 18Hitchhiker’s goalLIFT
  9. 19Sporty CamarosIROCS
  10. 20Where people laugh at amateursOPENMICNIGHT
  11. 23“Task complete”ITSDONE
  12. 26Velvet finish?EEN
  13. 27Motto of the British monarchyDIEUETMONDROIT
  14. 32Minimal amountLEAST
  15. 33Pod dwellersPEAS
  16. 34Really enjoyedDUG
  17. 36Noted Deco artistERTE
  18. 37DiscourageDETER
  19. 39Word repeated after “Que” in a song titleSERA
  20. 40Dr. of hip-hopDRE
  21. 41Green strokePUTT
  22. 42HumongousGIANT
  23. 43Group with one goal, usuallyADHOCCOMMITTEE
  24. 47German grannyOMA
  25. 48Futon alternativesAIRBEDS
  26. 49Yanks great who now manages the PhilliesDONMATTINGLY
  27. 54Try not to seeAVOID
  28. 55One of the Four Corners cornersUTAH
  29. 56Letters in a boxMAIL
  30. 60Disney title characterWALLE
  31. 61DiatribeRANT
  32. 62___ Domani (wine brand)ECCO
  33. 63Wows at 20-AcrossSLAYS
  34. 64Celebrity chef BobbyFLAY
  35. 65Of vital importanceKEY

Down

  1. 1Simile center, oftenASA
  2. 2“___ say!”ILL
  3. 3Strong coffee, slangilyMUD
  4. 4KnackTALENT
  5. 5“Without Me” singerEMINEM
  6. 6Radio choicesAMFM
  7. 7Lavash cousinROTI
  8. 8Barroom brawl souvenirsSHINERS
  9. 92006 Olympics cityTORINO
  10. 10___-rockPROG
  11. 11Psychologist known for conformity experimentsASCH
  12. 12Try outTEST
  13. 14What resources should be put toGOODUSE
  14. 21Rondeau writerPOET
  15. 22Fragrant woodCEDAR
  16. 23Ran without movingIDLED
  17. 24Land, in Latin AmericaTIERRA
  18. 25Ready for takeoffSEATED
  19. 28Decide that one willOPTTO
  20. 29Formerly calledNEE
  21. 30ThinkIDEATE
  22. 31No longer edibleTURNED
  23. 35Bill with billionsGATES
  24. 37Dollar, casuallyDUCAT
  25. 38Letters after the last exampleETC
  26. 39“There’s a space right here”SITBYME
  27. 41Hair slickenersPOMADES
  28. 42Delivery possibilityGIRL
  29. 44Short sermonHOMILY
  30. 45Tomorrow, in TijuanaMANANA
  31. 46Possessing powerMIGHTY
  32. 49Crow relativesDAWS
  33. 50Lacking corners, maybeOVAL
  34. 51City known for beignets, brieflyNOLA
  35. 52Area to defendTURF
  36. 53Slanted type, for shortITAL
  37. 57Cry of frustrationACK
  38. 58Puck’s milieuICE
  39. 59Myrna in “The Thin Man”LOY

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Contest: The answer to this week’s contest crossword is a seven-letter word.

Across

  1. 1. Objective — Answer: AIM. Hint: Think of the goal you’re trying to achieve 🎯
  2. 4. Drop of despair — Answer: TEAR. Hint: A tiny sign of sadness that can slip from your eye 😢
  3. 8. Green guy, briefly — Answer: STPAT. Hint: Think of the famously green-clad saint, shortened to fit the grid. ☘️
  4. 13. Creature not known for speed — Answer: SLUG. Hint: Think of a garden crawler that takes its time 🐌
  5. 15. Range rounds — Answer: AMMO. Hint: Think of what you load into a firearm for target practice 🎯
  6. 16. Animal in the Chinese zodiac — Answer: HORSE. Hint: This zodiac creature is associated with freedom, energy, and galloping across wide-open spaces 🐎
  7. 17. Gucci of fashion — Answer: ALDO. Hint: Think of a popular footwear and accessories brand found in many shopping malls. 👟
  8. 18. Hitchhiker’s goal — Answer: LIFT. Hint: It’s the ride a roadside traveler hopes to get from a passing driver. 🚗
  9. 19. Sporty Camaros — Answer: IROCS. Hint: These performance-focused Camaros were named after a famous racing competition. 🏁
  10. 20. Where people laugh at amateurs — Answer: OPENMICNIGHT. Hint: It’s an evening where aspiring performers take the stage before a live audience. 🎤
  11. 23. “Task complete” — Answer: ITSDONE. Hint: A cheerful status update for a finished job ✅
  12. 26. Velvet finish? — Answer: EEN. Hint: Think of the suffix that turns a plush fabric into its velvet-like cousin. 🧵
  13. 27. Motto of the British monarchy — Answer: DIEUETMONDROIT. Hint: This royal motto is French for a promise of divine backing and rightful rule. 👑
  14. 32. Minimal amount — Answer: LEAST. Hint: Think of the smallest quantity you could possibly have. 🤏
  15. 33. Pod dwellers — Answer: PEAS. Hint: These tiny green legumes grow snugly inside a casing. 🫛
  16. 34. Really enjoyed — Answer: DUG. Hint: A casual past-tense way to say you liked something a lot. 😊
  17. 36. Noted Deco artist — Answer: ERTE. Hint: Think of the artist famous for elegant, elongated Art Deco figures and designs. 🎨
  18. 37. Discourage — Answer: DETER. Hint: Think about what you do to prevent someone from taking a certain action! 🚫
  19. 39. Word repeated after “Que” in a song title — Answer: SERA. Hint: Think of the classic song title beginning with “Que,” followed by a repeated word meaning “will be.” 🎵
  20. 40. Dr. of hip-hop — Answer: DRE. Hint: Think of the legendary West Coast rapper and producer known as hip-hop’s doctor 🎤
  21. 41. Green stroke — Answer: PUTT. Hint: On the golf green, this gentle stroke aims to roll the ball into the cup. ⛳
  22. 42. Humongous — Answer: GIANT. Hint: Think of something enormous enough to tower over everything around it. 🏔️
  23. 43. Group with one goal, usually — Answer: ADHOCCOMMITTEE. Hint: Think of a temporary team assembled to tackle one specific task. 🧩
  24. 47. German granny — Answer: OMA. Hint: In German, this is what you might affectionately call your grandmother. 👵
  25. 48. Futon alternatives — Answer: AIRBEDS. Hint: These inflatable sleeping surfaces make handy substitutes for a traditional futon. 🛏️
  26. 49. Yanks great who now manages the Phillies — Answer: DONMATTINGLY. Hint: Think of the Bronx Bombers legend who later took charge in the Phillies’ dugout. ⚾
  27. 54. Try not to see — Answer: AVOID. Hint: Steer clear of it instead of letting your eyes land on it. 👀
  28. 55. One of the Four Corners corners — Answer: UTAH. Hint: Think of the southwestern state that shares a famous four-way meeting point with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. 🗺️
  29. 56. Letters in a box — Answer: MAIL. Hint: Think of what might be waiting for you in the mailbox. 📬
  30. 60. Disney title character — Answer: WALLE. Hint: This lovable little robot tidies up an abandoned Earth before embarking on an interstellar adventure 🤖
  31. 61. Diatribe — Answer: RANT. Hint: A fiery outburst of criticism fits this clue. 🔥
  32. 62. ___ Domani (wine brand) — Answer: ECCO. Hint: This Italian wine label shares its name with a word meaning “here” or “look” in Italian. 🍷
  33. 63. Wows at 20-Across — Answer: SLAYS. Hint: Means impresses greatly, like a performer who owns the stage 🎤
  34. 64. Celebrity chef Bobby — Answer: FLAY. Hint: This famous Food Network chef shares his surname with a verb meaning to strip away skin. 🔪
  35. 65. Of vital importance — Answer: KEY. Hint: Think of something essential that unlocks possibilities! 🔑

Down

  1. 1. Simile center, often — Answer: ASA. Hint: Look for the short comparison phrase that often sits at the heart of a simile. 🔎
  2. 2. “___ say!” — Answer: ILL. Hint: This emphatic phrase means you strongly agree with what was just said. 👍
  3. 3. Strong coffee, slangily — Answer: MUD. Hint: Think of a rich, heavy cup of joe ☕
  4. 4. Knack — Answer: TALENT. Hint: A natural gift for doing something especially well is this. 🎯
  5. 5. “Without Me” singer — Answer: EMINEM. Hint: Think of the provocative Detroit rapper known for his alter ego Slim Shady. 🎤
  6. 6. Radio choices — Answer: AMFM. Hint: These are the two classic broadcast bands you can tune into on a radio. 📻
  7. 7. Lavash cousin — Answer: ROTI. Hint: Think of a soft, round South Asian flatbread often served with curries. 🫓
  8. 8. Barroom brawl souvenirs — Answer: SHINERS. Hint: These are the telltale bruises you might sport after a rough tavern tussle. 🥊
  9. 9. 2006 Olympics city — Answer: TORINO. Hint: Think of the Italian city that welcomed the Winter Games in 2006. 🇮🇹
  10. 10. ___-rock — Answer: PROG. Hint: This genre is known for sprawling songs, shifting time signatures, and ambitious musicianship. 🎸
  11. 11. Psychologist known for conformity experiments — Answer: ASCH. Hint: Think of the psychologist whose famous line-judgment studies revealed the power of group pressure. 🧠
  12. 12. Try out — Answer: TEST. Hint: Put something through its paces to see how it performs. 🧪
  13. 14. What resources should be put to — Answer: GOODUSE. Hint: Think of the phrase that means using resources effectively. 💡
  14. 21. Rondeau writer — Answer: POET. Hint: Think of someone who crafts verses in this repeating poetic form. ✍️
  15. 22. Fragrant wood — Answer: CEDAR. Hint: This aromatic timber is often used in closets because its scent helps repel moths. 🪵
  16. 23. Ran without moving — Answer: IDLED. Hint: Think of an engine operating while the vehicle stays in place. 🚗
  17. 24. Land, in Latin America — Answer: TIERRA. Hint: Think of the Spanish word for the ground beneath your feet. 🌎
  18. 25. Ready for takeoff — Answer: SEATED. Hint: Strapped in and waiting for the plane to leave ✈️
  19. 28. Decide that one will — Answer: OPTTO. Hint: Choose to commit to a course of action. 🤔
  20. 29. Formerly called — Answer: NEE. Hint: Use this term when referring to someone by a previous name. 🏷️
  21. 30. Think — Answer: IDEATE. Hint: Use this verb when you form a new concept in your mind. 💡
  22. 31. No longer edible — Answer: TURNED. Hint: This describes food that has spoiled or gone bad. 🤢
  23. 35. Bill with billions — Answer: GATES. Hint: Think of the Microsoft cofounder known for both immense wealth and major philanthropy. 💻
  24. 37. Dollar, casually — Answer: DUCAT. Hint: Think of a playful, old-timey nickname for a dollar or coin. 💰
  25. 38. Letters after the last example — Answer: ETC. Hint: This abbreviation signals that the list continues beyond the examples given. ✨
  26. 39. “There’s a space right here” — Answer: SITBYME. Hint: An invitation to take the open spot beside the speaker. 🪑
  27. 41. Hair slickeners — Answer: POMADES. Hint: These styling products tame flyaways and add a glossy finish to your hair. 💇
  28. 42. Delivery possibility — Answer: GIRL. Hint: A newborn might arrive as one of these, rather than a boy. 👶
  29. 44. Short sermon — Answer: HOMILY. Hint: A brief religious talk delivered during a service might fit the bill. 📖
  30. 45. Tomorrow, in Tijuana — Answer: MANANA. Hint: This Spanish word means the day after today. 🇲🇽
  31. 46. Possessing power — Answer: MIGHTY. Hint: Think of someone or something with great strength or influence. 💪
  32. 49. Crow relatives — Answer: DAWS. Hint: Think of the smaller, noisy black birds that belong to the same family as crows. 🐦
  33. 50. Lacking corners, maybe — Answer: OVAL. Hint: Think of a smooth, rounded shape without sharp angles. 🔵
  34. 51. City known for beignets, briefly — Answer: NOLA. Hint: Think of the Big Easy, famous for powdered-sugar pastries, in abbreviated form. 🥐
  35. 52. Area to defend — Answer: TURF. Hint: A gang’s claimed patch of ground is something they’ll protect fiercely. 🛡️
  36. 53. Slanted type, for short — Answer: ITAL. Hint: Think of the compact term for letters that lean to the side. ✍️
  37. 57. Cry of frustration — Answer: ACK. Hint: A brief exclamation you might blurt out when technology lets you down 😤
  38. 58. Puck’s milieu — Answer: ICE. Hint: Think of the slippery playing surface where hockey’s mischievous disk glides 🏒
  39. 59. Myrna in “The Thin Man” — Answer: LOY. Hint: Think of the actress who played Nora Charles alongside William Powell in this classic detective comedy. 🎬

Recent WSJ Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

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Here are the WSJ Crossword answers for Thursday, August 6, 2026 — every solution for that day's Wall Street Journal puzzle, listed at the top of this page. Whether you're catching up on a puzzle you missed, settling a “what was the answer on August 6?” question, or checking a grid you finished that day, the complete clue-by-clue solution is right here. Looking for today's puzzle instead? Head to our live WSJ Crossword answers page.

WSJ Crossword answers for August 6, 2026

The full solution for the August 6 WSJ Crossword is shown above, laid out clue by clue — every Across answer followed by every Down answer, exactly as that day's grid read. Each answer is listed separately, so you can check just the clue you were stuck on and leave the rest. This is the confirmed grid as published on Thursday, August 6.

Full WSJ Crossword answer list for August 6, 2026

Every clue from the August 6 grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.

Across

#ClueAnswer
1ObjectiveAIM
4Drop of despairTEAR
8Green guy, brieflySTPAT
13Creature not known for speedSLUG
15Range roundsAMMO
16Animal in the Chinese zodiacHORSE
17Gucci of fashionALDO
18Hitchhiker’s goalLIFT
19Sporty CamarosIROCS
20Where people laugh at amateursOPENMICNIGHT
23“Task complete”ITSDONE
26Velvet finish?EEN
27Motto of the British monarchyDIEUETMONDROIT
32Minimal amountLEAST
33Pod dwellersPEAS
34Really enjoyedDUG
36Noted Deco artistERTE
37DiscourageDETER
39Word repeated after “Que” in a song titleSERA
40Dr. of hip-hopDRE
41Green strokePUTT
42HumongousGIANT
43Group with one goal, usuallyADHOCCOMMITTEE
47German grannyOMA
48Futon alternativesAIRBEDS
49Yanks great who now manages the PhilliesDONMATTINGLY
54Try not to seeAVOID
55One of the Four Corners cornersUTAH
56Letters in a boxMAIL
60Disney title characterWALLE
61DiatribeRANT
62___ Domani (wine brand)ECCO
63Wows at 20-AcrossSLAYS
64Celebrity chef BobbyFLAY
65Of vital importanceKEY

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Simile center, oftenASA
2“___ say!”ILL
3Strong coffee, slangilyMUD
4KnackTALENT
5“Without Me” singerEMINEM
6Radio choicesAMFM
7Lavash cousinROTI
8Barroom brawl souvenirsSHINERS
92006 Olympics cityTORINO
10___-rockPROG
11Psychologist known for conformity experimentsASCH
12Try outTEST
14What resources should be put toGOODUSE
21Rondeau writerPOET
22Fragrant woodCEDAR
23Ran without movingIDLED
24Land, in Latin AmericaTIERRA
25Ready for takeoffSEATED
28Decide that one willOPTTO
29Formerly calledNEE
30ThinkIDEATE
31No longer edibleTURNED
35Bill with billionsGATES
37Dollar, casuallyDUCAT
38Letters after the last exampleETC
39“There’s a space right here”SITBYME
41Hair slickenersPOMADES
42Delivery possibilityGIRL
44Short sermonHOMILY
45Tomorrow, in TijuanaMANANA
46Possessing powerMIGHTY
49Crow relativesDAWS
50Lacking corners, maybeOVAL
51City known for beignets, brieflyNOLA
52Area to defendTURF
53Slanted type, for shortITAL
57Cry of frustrationACK
58Puck’s milieuICE
59Myrna in “The Thin Man”LOY

Hints for the August 6 puzzle

Not ready for the full answer? Here are lighter, spoiler-free nudges for that day's grid, above the solutions. The August 6 Wall Street Journal Crossword was a Thursday puzzle, which matters more than it does at most papers: the WSJ runs a clean 15×15 midweek, a larger themed grid at the end of the week, and a Friday contest puzzle whose real answer hides inside the finished grid. Editor Mike Shenk keeps the cluing fair rather than punishing, so a stuck corner usually breaks open on one confirmed crossing. Use the hints for the trickiest clues, then reveal the answers above only if you need them.

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Frequently asked questions

What were the WSJ Crossword answers on August 6, 2026?

Every answer for the Thursday, August 6, 2026 Wall Street Journal Crossword is listed at the top of this page — the confirmed grid as published that day.

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Today's live puzzle is on our WSJ Crossword answers today page, updated the moment each new grid goes live.

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