At some earlier time crossword clue
52 Across · WSJ Crossword, July 16, 2026 · 4 letters
Explanation
The answer to “At some earlier time” is ONCE. It appears as 52 Across in the Wall Street Journal crossword of July 16, 2026, a Thursday puzzle titled “Pitch In” by Mike Shenk, and it fills 4 squares running left to right from row 13, column 1 of the 15×15 grid.
The clue is a straightforward definition, so the answer is a direct synonym or a factual match for the words as written. The entry begins with O and ends with E, and contains 2 vowels and 2 consonants. If you are working from the crossings, two or three confirmed letters from the Down entries should be enough to lock it in. Thursday puzzles lean harder on misdirection, so expect the rest of this grid to be pitched at the same level.
Past appearances
Clues in other WSJ puzzles with the answer ONCE:
- That single timeAug 20, 2026
- Sometime earlierJul 6, 2026
- At some prior timeMay 28, 2026
- In the pastMay 23, 2026