It might crumble under cross-examination crossword clue
16 Across · WSJ Crossword, June 4, 2026 · 5 letters
Explanation
The answer to “It might crumble under cross-examination” is ALIBI. It appears as 16 Across in the Wall Street Journal crossword of June 4, 2026, a Thursday puzzle titled “Defeatist Attitude” by Bryan Cheong & Zachary Edward-Brown, and it fills 5 squares running left to right from row 2, column 11 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 A and ends with I, and contains 3 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 ALIBI:
- It might be airtightSep 2, 2026
- Defense strategyAug 27, 2026
- Defendant’s outJul 9, 2026
- Defendant’s storyJun 8, 2026