They’re hit with a crunch crossword clue
4 Across · WSJ Crossword, August 12, 2026 · 3 letters
Explanation
The answer to “They’re hit with a crunch” is ABS. It appears as 4 Across in the Wall Street Journal crossword of August 12, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle titled “Tribal Tunes” by Luke K. Schreiber, and it fills 3 squares running left to right from row 1, column 5 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 S, and contains 1 vowel 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. Wednesday puzzles sit mid-week on the difficulty curve, so expect the rest of this grid to be pitched at the same level.
Past appearances
Clues in other WSJ puzzles with the answer ABS:
- Six-pack makeupJul 11, 2026
- Core muscles, informallyJun 8, 2026