WSJ Crossword Answers - Aug 12

Tribal Tunes

By Luke K. Schreiber · Edited by Mike Shenk

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Across

  1. 1CalculatingSLY
  2. 4They’re hit with a crunchABS
  3. 7Unhelpful response to “You’re muted”AMI
  4. 10Where racers retire?PIT
  5. 13Princess’s irritant, in a talePEA
  6. 14Like Steven Wright’s comedyDEADPAN
  7. 16Men’s body spray brandAXE
  8. 17“How frustrating!”UGH
  9. 18Joke toy of 1975PETROCK
  10. 19TV home of the “Five-Timers Club”SNL
  11. 20The White Stripes and the Black Keys, e.g.DUOS
  12. 22Antelope with lyre-shaped hornsNYALA
  13. 23Bibliography abbr.ETAL
  14. 24Whence colonists cameMOTHERCOUNTRY
  15. 27Jacob gave him bread and pottageESAU
  16. 28Cheerful criesYAYS
  17. 29Noted feature of Frank SinatraBABYBLUES
  18. 35X, sometimesCHI
  19. 38Affaire de coeurAMOUR
  20. 39Craft brew initialsIPA
  21. 42Santa, in SalisburyFATHERCHRISTMAS
  22. 47Trash can resident of TVOSCAR
  23. 48Animal carrier of noteARK
  24. 49Cricket soundCHIRP
  25. 50“Prove it!”SHOWME
  26. 52“Defense! Defense!” and othersCHANTS
  27. 53The Jackson 5, e.g., and a hint to 18-, 24-, 29- and 42-AcrossMUSICALFAMILY
  28. 57Word with bottle, baseball and blastingCAP
  29. 58Thumbs-down review, informallyNOBUENO
  30. 59German physicist GeorgOHM
  31. 61Link lettersURL
  32. 62Winner of a raceELECTEE
  33. 63Dyson product, for shortVAC
  34. 64Scrape (by)EKE
  35. 65Fail to playSIT
  36. 66BlockheadASS
  37. 67UFO crewETS

Down

  1. 1TaterSPUD
  2. 213-Across, e.g.LEGUME
  3. 3Brutes in “Gulliver’s Travels”YAHOOS
  4. 4Payroll-processing co.ADP
  5. 5Namesake of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s lifetime achievement awardBEENE
  6. 6Follower of DionysusSATYR
  7. 7Speed skater OhnoAPOLO
  8. 8Asian gambling meccaMACAU
  9. 9Cuttlefish defenseINK
  10. 10Beaver tail, e.g.PASTRY
  11. 11Rejects, informallyIXNAYS
  12. 12GiveawayTELL
  13. 15“Hotel Transylvania” nicknameDRAC
  14. 21AttemptSTAB
  15. 23Uber alerts, for shortETAS
  16. 25Legendary warrior ___ MulanHUA
  17. 26“Science Guy” BillNYE
  18. 30Milky Way, e.g.BAR
  19. 311978 song with a recognizable danceYMCA
  20. 32Danish physicist NielsBOHR
  21. 33Hide in the shadowsLURK
  22. 34One of Switzerland’s Forest CantonsURI
  23. 35Company money mgrs.CFOS
  24. 36Yardage lineHASHMARK
  25. 37Zendaya and Tom Holland, e.g.ITCOUPLE
  26. 39Romantic confessionIMINLOVE
  27. 40Festive conePARTYHAT
  28. 41Serpents on sarcophagiASPS
  29. 43Hems and ___HAWS
  30. 44Otters’ kinERMINES
  31. 45Ordinary fellowsSCHMOES
  32. 46Cuisine featuring lemongrassTHAI
  33. 51Reason for some food recallsECOLI
  34. 52Support staffs?CANES
  35. 54Help feloniouslyABET
  36. 55Book after Matthieu and MarcLUC
  37. 56Spanakopita cheeseFETA
  38. 57Stick that breaks?CUE
  39. 60Hip-hop vocalistsMCS

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Calculating — Answer: SLY. Hint: Think of someone crafty and a little too clever for their own good. 🦊
  2. 4. They’re hit with a crunch — Answer: ABS. Hint: These core muscles get targeted by a classic floor exercise. 💪
  3. 7. Unhelpful response to “You’re muted” — Answer: AMI. Hint: It’s a puzzled question that completely misses the microphone problem. 🤔
  4. 10. Where racers retire? — Answer: PIT. Hint: Think of the trackside spot where cars pause for service, not a retirement home. 🏎️
  5. 13. Princess’s irritant, in a tale — Answer: PEA. Hint: In a classic fairy tale, a tiny object hidden beneath many mattresses keeps a royal guest awake. 🛏️
  6. 14. Like Steven Wright’s comedy — Answer: DEADPAN. Hint: Think of humor delivered with a perfectly straight face and almost no visible emotion. 😐
  7. 16. Men’s body spray brand — Answer: AXE. Hint: Think of the bold-scented grooming brand often marketed to men. 🧴
  8. 17. “How frustrating!” — Answer: UGH. Hint: A short groan you might let out when everything goes wrong 😤
  9. 18. Joke toy of 1975 — Answer: PETROCK. Hint: Think of a famously low-maintenance novelty gift that turned an ordinary object into a gag 🪨
  10. 19. TV home of the “Five-Timers Club” — Answer: SNL. Hint: This longtime sketch-comedy show celebrates stars who host for the fifth time with an exclusive club. 🎬
  11. 20. The White Stripes and the Black Keys, e.g. — Answer: DUOS. Hint: Each of these bands is made up of two musicians, making them musical pairs 🎵
  12. 22. Antelope with lyre-shaped horns — Answer: NYALA. Hint: Picture a shy African antelope whose sweeping horns resemble a musical instrument. 🦌
  13. 23. Bibliography abbr. — Answer: ETAL. Hint: In a bibliography, this abbreviation signals that additional authors are being grouped in. 📚
  14. 24. Whence colonists came — Answer: MOTHERCOUNTRY. Hint: Think of the homeland that sent its settlers overseas. 🌍
  15. 27. Jacob gave him bread and pottage — Answer: ESAU. Hint: This biblical hunter traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. 🍲
  16. 28. Cheerful cries — Answer: YAYS. Hint: Think of the upbeat exclamations people shout when celebrating! 🎉
  17. 29. Noted feature of Frank Sinatra — Answer: BABYBLUES. Hint: Think of the famous singer’s striking eye color. 👀
  18. 35. X, sometimes — Answer: CHI. Hint: Think of the Greek letter that can represent a crossing mark in some contexts. 🇬🇷
  19. 38. Affaire de coeur — Answer: AMOUR. Hint: This French phrase refers to a romantic matter of the heart. ❤️
  20. 39. Craft brew initials — Answer: IPA. Hint: These initials point to a hop-forward beer style 🍺
  21. 42. Santa, in Salisbury — Answer: FATHERCHRISTMAS. Hint: In Britain, this is the traditional festive name for the jolly gift-bringer. 🎅
  22. 47. Trash can resident of TV — Answer: OSCAR. Hint: Think of the grouchy Sesame Street character who happily calls a garbage bin home 🗑️
  23. 48. Animal carrier of note — Answer: ARK. Hint: Think of the famous vessel that carried creatures through the great flood. 🚢
  24. 49. Cricket sound — Answer: CHIRP. Hint: It’s the familiar nighttime call of a tiny backyard musician. 🦗
  25. 50. “Prove it!” — Answer: SHOWME. Hint: A skeptical challenge asking you to provide evidence. 🔍
  26. 52. “Defense! Defense!” and others — Answer: CHANTS. Hint: These are the spirited group calls heard from the stands. 📣
  27. 53. The Jackson 5, e.g., and a hint to 18-, 24-, 29- and 42-Across — Answer: MUSICALFAMILY. Hint: Think of a singing group whose members share both musical talent and close family ties 🎶
  28. 57. Word with bottle, baseball and blasting — Answer: CAP. Hint: One small word can top a bottle, crown a baseball fan’s head, and help set off an explosion—what is it? 💡
  29. 58. Thumbs-down review, informally — Answer: NOBUENO. Hint: A casual way to say a review is definitely not good. 👎
  30. 59. German physicist Georg — Answer: OHM. Hint: Think of the German physicist whose surname became the unit for electrical resistance. ⚡
  31. 61. Link letters — Answer: URL. Hint: These characters direct your browser to a specific webpage or online destination. 🔗
  32. 62. Winner of a race — Answer: ELECTEE. Hint: Think of the person who comes out on top in a political contest and earns the office. 🗳️
  33. 63. Dyson product, for short — Answer: VAC. Hint: This shorthand refers to the appliance that makes crumbs disappear. 🧹
  34. 64. Scrape (by) — Answer: EKE. Hint: Manage to get by with barely enough resources, like a student stretching a tiny budget. 💰
  35. 65. Fail to play — Answer: SIT. Hint: What you might do on the bench instead of taking your turn 🪑
  36. 66. Blockhead — Answer: ASS. Hint: A playful term for a foolish person might fit here. 🤪
  37. 67. UFO crew — Answer: ETS. Hint: Think of the otherworldly beings who might be aboard a flying saucer 👽

Down

  1. 1. Tater — Answer: SPUD. Hint: A playful nickname for a humble potato at dinner 🍽️
  2. 2. 13-Across, e.g. — Answer: LEGUME. Hint: Think of plants like peas, beans, and lentils that produce edible seeds in pods 🌱
  3. 3. Brutes in “Gulliver’s Travels” — Answer: YAHOOS. Hint: In Swift’s satire, these uncivilized humanoids are the least flattering company imaginable. 📖
  4. 4. Payroll-processing co. — Answer: ADP. Hint: This company helps businesses manage paychecks and employee tax paperwork. 💼
  5. 5. Namesake of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s lifetime achievement award — Answer: BEENE. Hint: This honor celebrates an innovative American designer known for bold, sculptural fashion. 👗
  6. 6. Follower of Dionysus — Answer: SATYR. Hint: Think of a goat-legged woodland reveler from Greek mythology. 🍇
  7. 7. Speed skater Ohno — Answer: APOLO. Hint: This Olympic speed skater made a name for himself on the short track 🥇
  8. 8. Asian gambling mecca — Answer: MACAU. Hint: Think of a Chinese coastal city famous for casinos and Portuguese heritage. 🎰
  9. 9. Cuttlefish defense — Answer: INK. Hint: This underwater escape artist clouds the water to make a quick getaway 🦑
  10. 10. Beaver tail, e.g. — Answer: PASTRY. Hint: This sweet, flattened treat belongs in a bakery case rather than on the animal itself. 🥐
  11. 11. Rejects, informally — Answer: IXNAYS. Hint: Turns something down in casual speech. 🙅
  12. 12. Giveaway — Answer: TELL. Hint: In poker, this is a revealing sign that gives your opponent information. 🎲
  13. 15. “Hotel Transylvania” nickname — Answer: DRAC. Hint: This spooky hotel owner goes by a shortened version of his famous vampire name. 🧛
  14. 21. Attempt — Answer: STAB. Hint: Give it a try, even if success is uncertain! 🎯
  15. 23. Uber alerts, for short — Answer: ETAS. Hint: Think of the abbreviated arrival-time updates a rideshare app sends you. 🚗
  16. 25. Legendary warrior ___ Mulan — Answer: HUA. Hint: Think of the three-letter given name of Disney’s legendary Chinese heroine. 🗡️
  17. 26. “Science Guy” Bill — Answer: NYE. Hint: Think of the annual celebration when Bill might be found counting down to midnight. 🎉
  18. 30. Milky Way, e.g. — Answer: BAR. Hint: Think of the chocolatey checkout-counter treat category this belongs to. 🍫
  19. 31. 1978 song with a recognizable dance — Answer: YMCA. Hint: This disco-era Village People hit inspired a famous arm-raising group dance. 🕺
  20. 32. Danish physicist Niels — Answer: BOHR. Hint: Think of the Danish pioneer who explained atoms with electrons in distinct energy levels ⚛️
  21. 33. Hide in the shadows — Answer: LURK. Hint: Stay out of sight and wait quietly for the right moment. 🕵️
  22. 34. One of Switzerland’s Forest Cantons — Answer: URI. Hint: Picture the historic Swiss canton associated with William Tell. 🏹
  23. 35. Company money mgrs. — Answer: CFOS. Hint: These executives keep a company’s finances on track. 💼
  24. 36. Yardage line — Answer: HASHMARK. Hint: Look for the short field marking that helps football players track distance. 🏈
  25. 37. Zendaya and Tom Holland, e.g. — Answer: ITCOUPLE. Hint: They’re a high-profile romantic pair often admired by fans. 💕
  26. 39. Romantic confession — Answer: IMINLOVE. Hint: A heartfelt declaration of affection you might whisper to your crush. 💕
  27. 40. Festive cone — Answer: PARTYHAT. Hint: Picture the pointy headwear people wear to celebrate. 🎉
  28. 41. Serpents on sarcophagi — Answer: ASPS. Hint: Think of the venomous snakes often carved as symbols of Egyptian royalty. 🐍
  29. 43. Hems and ___ — Answer: HAWS. Hint: This phrase describes indecision or hesitation. 🤔
  30. 44. Otters’ kin — Answer: ERMINES. Hint: Think of a small, sleek member of the weasel family known for its winter coat. 🐾
  31. 45. Ordinary fellows — Answer: SCHMOES. Hint: Think of a casual, slightly comic term for everyday guys. 👥
  32. 46. Cuisine featuring lemongrass — Answer: THAI. Hint: Think of a Southeast Asian cuisine where lemongrass adds a bright, citrusy kick. 🍋
  33. 51. Reason for some food recalls — Answer: ECOLI. Hint: A dangerous bacterial contamination can send certain food products back to the store. 🦠
  34. 52. Support staffs? — Answer: CANES. Hint: Think of sturdy walking aids that can double as literal support staffs. 🦯
  35. 54. Help feloniously — Answer: ABET. Hint: Think of a verb meaning to encourage or assist someone in wrongdoing. 🕵️
  36. 55. Book after Matthieu and Marc — Answer: LUC. Hint: Look for the Gospel that comes after Matthew and Mark in a French Bible. 📖
  37. 56. Spanakopita cheese — Answer: FETA. Hint: Think of the salty, crumbly Greek cheese tucked into this savory pastry 🧀
  38. 57. Stick that breaks? — Answer: CUE. Hint: In pool, it’s the stick used to send the balls rolling—unless it snaps. 🎱
  39. 60. Hip-hop vocalists — Answer: MCS. Hint: These rappers often grab the mic and command the crowd 🎤

Recent WSJ Answers

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Here are the WSJ Crossword answers for Wednesday, August 12, 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 12?” 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 12, 2026

The full solution for the August 12 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 Wednesday, August 12.

Full WSJ Crossword answer list for August 12, 2026

Every clue from the August 12 grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.

Across

#ClueAnswer
1CalculatingSLY
4They’re hit with a crunchABS
7Unhelpful response to “You’re muted”AMI
10Where racers retire?PIT
13Princess’s irritant, in a talePEA
14Like Steven Wright’s comedyDEADPAN
16Men’s body spray brandAXE
17“How frustrating!”UGH
18Joke toy of 1975PETROCK
19TV home of the “Five-Timers Club”SNL
20The White Stripes and the Black Keys, e.g.DUOS
22Antelope with lyre-shaped hornsNYALA
23Bibliography abbr.ETAL
24Whence colonists cameMOTHERCOUNTRY
27Jacob gave him bread and pottageESAU
28Cheerful criesYAYS
29Noted feature of Frank SinatraBABYBLUES
35X, sometimesCHI
38Affaire de coeurAMOUR
39Craft brew initialsIPA
42Santa, in SalisburyFATHERCHRISTMAS
47Trash can resident of TVOSCAR
48Animal carrier of noteARK
49Cricket soundCHIRP
50“Prove it!”SHOWME
52“Defense! Defense!” and othersCHANTS
53The Jackson 5, e.g., and a hint to 18-, 24-, 29- and 42-AcrossMUSICALFAMILY
57Word with bottle, baseball and blastingCAP
58Thumbs-down review, informallyNOBUENO
59German physicist GeorgOHM
61Link lettersURL
62Winner of a raceELECTEE
63Dyson product, for shortVAC
64Scrape (by)EKE
65Fail to playSIT
66BlockheadASS
67UFO crewETS

Down

#ClueAnswer
1TaterSPUD
213-Across, e.g.LEGUME
3Brutes in “Gulliver’s Travels”YAHOOS
4Payroll-processing co.ADP
5Namesake of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s lifetime achievement awardBEENE
6Follower of DionysusSATYR
7Speed skater OhnoAPOLO
8Asian gambling meccaMACAU
9Cuttlefish defenseINK
10Beaver tail, e.g.PASTRY
11Rejects, informallyIXNAYS
12GiveawayTELL
15“Hotel Transylvania” nicknameDRAC
21AttemptSTAB
23Uber alerts, for shortETAS
25Legendary warrior ___ MulanHUA
26“Science Guy” BillNYE
30Milky Way, e.g.BAR
311978 song with a recognizable danceYMCA
32Danish physicist NielsBOHR
33Hide in the shadowsLURK
34One of Switzerland’s Forest CantonsURI
35Company money mgrs.CFOS
36Yardage lineHASHMARK
37Zendaya and Tom Holland, e.g.ITCOUPLE
39Romantic confessionIMINLOVE
40Festive conePARTYHAT
41Serpents on sarcophagiASPS
43Hems and ___HAWS
44Otters’ kinERMINES
45Ordinary fellowsSCHMOES
46Cuisine featuring lemongrassTHAI
51Reason for some food recallsECOLI
52Support staffs?CANES
54Help feloniouslyABET
55Book after Matthieu and MarcLUC
56Spanakopita cheeseFETA
57Stick that breaks?CUE
60Hip-hop vocalistsMCS

Hints for the August 12 puzzle

Not ready for the full answer? Here are lighter, spoiler-free nudges for that day's grid, above the solutions. The August 12 Wall Street Journal Crossword was a Wednesday 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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What were the WSJ Crossword answers on August 12, 2026?

Every answer for the Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Wall Street Journal Crossword is listed at the top of this page — the confirmed grid as published that day.

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