WSJ Crossword August 14, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for August 14, 2026, “If I Were You,” is a Friday puzzle by Gary Larson & Amy Ensz with 140 clues on a 21×21 grid. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution. The longest entry is PRUDEPARADE at 11 letters.
Every answer is listed below in grid order, Across first and then Down, with a short explanation of how the entry sits in the grid. Use the Definition link under any entry to pull the dictionary meaning of the answer word, or click the clue to open its own page with past appearances and neighboring clues.
Across
1 Across is PERP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Across is MALL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with M and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
9 Across is CRAG, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with C and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
13 Across is CORPSE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
19 Across is HOER, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with H and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
20 Across is OBOE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 6. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
21 Across is HULA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is AMUSED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 16. It begins with A and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
23 Across is ACLU, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with A and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
24 Across is SHUNBONES, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with S and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
26 Across is MADAME, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 16. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
27 Across is SEEDS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
29 Across is ODOUL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 7. It begins with O and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
30 Across is TUNESIN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 15. It begins with T and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
31 Across is ENTENDRE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
33 Across is FEDS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with F and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
36 Across is ASIS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 15. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
37 Across is DESPAIRS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
38 Across is FRIARS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with F and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
40 Across is HOPE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Across is ARNETT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Across is SUCKLEAVES, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with S and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
49 Across is LOUREED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with L and ends with D, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
52 Across is WHACKS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with W and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
55 Across is ENRAPT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
56 Across is ALTARS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
57 Across is PEDI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with P and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
58 Across is YODELED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with Y and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
59 Across is LEADS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
60 Across is SARTRE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
62 Across is SANS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
63 Across is ASHE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
64 Across is DUCKVANDYKE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
66 Across is FIJI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with F and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
70 Across is MALE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
71 Across is SCORNS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 10. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
72 Across is TROOP, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with T and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
73 Across is SATBACK, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with S and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
77 Across is ELIE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 11. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
78 Across is DHOTIS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with D and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
79 Across is ONRUSH, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with O and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
80 Across is MILSAP, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 8. It begins with M and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
83 Across is TARZANA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with T and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
84 Across is SOULSAMPLE, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
86 Across is SOIREE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
88 Across is ONEL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
89 Across is OHSNAP, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with O and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
92 Across is EMPANADA, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with E and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
96 Across is YAPS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
99 Across is ATMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 9. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
100 Across is DEADSPOT, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with D and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
101 Across is DOUGLAS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
104 Across is PATIO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with P and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
106 Across is STONE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
107 Across is ADROIT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
108 Across is SAFETYPUN, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 8. It begins with S and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
112 Across is UGGS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 18. It begins with U and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
113 Across is MENACE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
114 Across is TSAR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 8. It begins with T and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
115 Across is PATE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 13. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
116 Across is FELT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 18. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
117 Across is PASTEL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
118 Across is PANE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 8. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
119 Across is ELSE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 13. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
120 Across is FEES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 18. It begins with F and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
Down
1 Down is PHASED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is EOCENE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is RELETS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
4 Down is PRUDEPARADE, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with P and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
5 Down is MOS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
6 Down is ABHORRED, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with A and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
7 Down is LOUDEST, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with L and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
8 Down is LENO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
9 Down is CHOLER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
10 Down is RUN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with R and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
11 Down is ALE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
12 Down is GAS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with G and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
13 Down is CAMUS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
14 Down is OMANI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with O and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
15 Down is RUDESHARE, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with R and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
16 Down is PSAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with P and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
17 Down is SEMI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with S and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Down is EDEN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
25 Down is BUFF, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 10. It begins with B and ends with F, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
28 Down is SNARERS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
30 Down is TASK, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 15. It begins with T and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
32 Down is DINES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with D and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
34 Down is DISC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with D and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
35 Down is SAUK, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with S and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is RCS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with R and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
41 Down is OVAL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
42 Down is PEPE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Down is ESTD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with E and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
45 Down is TWERK, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with T and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
47 Down is LEONE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 16. It begins with L and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
48 Down is ENDS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 17. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
49 Down is LALA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
50 Down is OLES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
51 Down is UTAH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with U and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
53 Down is HDTVS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with H and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
54 Down is AIRACES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 11. It begins with A and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
57 Down is PACE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
58 Down is YAKS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
60 Down is SULK, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with S and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
61 Down is ENOLA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 12. It begins with E and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Down is SYNE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with S and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
64 Down is DACHA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Down is DRIPS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with D and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
66 Down is FROZENSTUFF, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with F and ends with F, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
67 Down is IOTA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
68 Down is JOIN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 20. It begins with J and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
69 Down is IPSA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 21. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
70 Down is MASS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
72 Down is THREADS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
73 Down is SOSO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
74 Down is ANON, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 2. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Down is TRUE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 3. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
76 Down is BULLYGOAT, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 4. It begins with B and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
78 Down is DARPA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
80 Down is MPH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 8. It begins with M and ends with H, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
81 Down is ILSA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
82 Down is LENT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with L and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
83 Down is TIMEOUTS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with T and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
85 Down is MOSS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
87 Down is OEDIPAL, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with O and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
90 Down is AMPERE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
91 Down is PSAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
93 Down is APOGEE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 19. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
94 Down is DONGLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 20. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Down is ATESTS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 21. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
97 Down is ALICE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 5. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
98 Down is PATEL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 6. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Down is DAMP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with D and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
102 Down is ODEA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 2. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
103 Down is URNS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with U and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
105 Down is TYPE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with T and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
108 Down is STP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 8. It begins with S and ends with P, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
109 Down is ASA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
110 Down is FAN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 10. It begins with F and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
111 Down is NEE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 16. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 65 Across and 75 Down entries, with 76 black squares. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution.
Prefer to solve it yourself first? The homepage lists every clue for the latest puzzle without answers, and the archive covers every WSJ crossword in our index by date. The official puzzle is published on the WSJ Puzzles page.