WSJ Crossword August 21, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for August 21, 2026, “Nope!,” is a Friday puzzle by Zhouqin Burnikel 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 ACHESANDCREAM at 13 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 POST, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Across is LADES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Across is GERM, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with G and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
14 Across is HAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with H and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
17 Across is VAPOR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with V and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
19 Across is INIGO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with I and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
20 Across is ALOO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
21 Across is METE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is CRANEORATOR, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with C and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
24 Across is MEAD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with M and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
25 Across is AREA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 18. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
26 Across is COMPACT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 3. It begins with C and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
27 Across is THEGRIMREAR, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 11. It begins with T and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
30 Across is STEWIE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
32 Across is OOF, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 8. It begins with O and ends with F, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
34 Across is EDY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
35 Across is FOISTS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with F and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
36 Across is WAS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with W and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
37 Across is TRON, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with T and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
39 Across is ACRE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
41 Across is BIOTA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with B and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
42 Across is ACHESANDCREAM, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with A and ends with M, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
45 Across is REDINK, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 15. It begins with R and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
47 Across is NOIR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with N and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
48 Across is MAIMS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with M and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
49 Across is ONUS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 13. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Across is MING, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 18. It begins with M and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
53 Across is SPICIEST, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 2. It begins with S and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
56 Across is ARSON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
58 Across is LEDON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 17. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Across is CON, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with C and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
60 Across is ECRU, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with E and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
62 Across is SEGA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
64 Across is ERA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 19. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
65 Across is STRAIGHTDO, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with S and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
70 Across is FLYINGCART, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with F and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
73 Across is MII, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with M and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
74 Across is FARR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with F and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
75 Across is CAFE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 10. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
77 Across is AER, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 16. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
78 Across is ELVES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with E 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.
80 Across is ROBOT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 7. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
82 Across is AMIWRONG, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with A and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
87 Across is EDEN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
88 Across is CEDE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
89 Across is OASES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with O and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
91 Across is NEOS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with N 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.
93 Across is ARTPOP, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 2. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Across is TENSEDBICYCLE, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with T and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
99 Across is DEALS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 3. It begins with D 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.
100 Across is AMES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 9. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
101 Across is INRE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
102 Across is TAX, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 19. It begins with T and ends with X, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
103 Across is SHERPA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
105 Across is AMI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
106 Across is TUT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 12. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
108 Across is ALBANY, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 16. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
110 Across is WALKINGPARS, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with W and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
113 Across is TATTLER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
115 Across is ANTE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
116 Across is DULL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 6. It begins with D and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
117 Across is ACETREATIES, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with A and ends with S, with 6 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
121 Across is BDAY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with B and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
122 Across is ERIE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 6. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
123 Across is PUREE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 11. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
124 Across is RONDO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with R and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
125 Across is SYS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
126 Across is RUTS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 6. It begins with R 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.
127 Across is SLIDE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 11. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
128 Across is NEUN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 18. It begins with N and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
Down
1 Down is PVC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
2 Down is OAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with O and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
3 Down is SPACESHIP, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with S and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
4 Down is TONOW, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with T and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
5 Down is LIRA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
6 Down is ANACONDAS, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
7 Down is DITTO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with D and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
8 Down is EGO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
9 Down is SORT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
10 Down is GAMEDEMOS, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with G and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
11 Down is ELEGY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
12 Down is ROAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with R and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
13 Down is MODIFIES, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with M 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.
14 Down is HERESANIDEA, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with H and ends with A, with 6 vowels among its 11 letters.
15 Down is ATEAT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
16 Down is TEARS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with T 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.
18 Down is REMITS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 5. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
21 Down is MARITIME, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with M and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
23 Down is OPERA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is HERA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Down is MOOD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 17. It begins with M and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
30 Down is SWAN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with S and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
31 Down is TACOS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 2. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
33 Down is FARM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with F and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
38 Down is ONME, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
40 Down is CESAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Down is BRUNEI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with B and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
43 Down is ERICA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with E and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is CITED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with C and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
46 Down is KNORR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 20. It begins with K and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
50 Down is NOSY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 14. It begins with N and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
52 Down is GNAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 21. It begins with G and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
54 Down is COIFS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with C 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.
55 Down is INGA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
57 Down is RUFF, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with R and ends with F, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
58 Down is LAGER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 17. It begins with L and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Down is COCO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
63 Down is GNAW, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 16. It begins with G and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
65 Down is SMEE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
66 Down is TILDA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
67 Down is RIVERDELTAS, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 3. It begins with R and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
68 Down is HRREPS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 7. It begins with H 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.
69 Down is TROD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
71 Down is LEASE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with L and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
72 Down is CRONY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with C and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
76 Down is ATONE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
79 Down is ENTERKEY, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 4. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
81 Down is BETAMALES, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with B and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
83 Down is MEDITATED, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 14. It begins with M and ends with D, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
84 Down is ISBN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with I and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
85 Down is NECTARINE, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 19. It begins with N and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
86 Down is GOLAN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 20. It begins with G and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
88 Down is COLANDER, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with C and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
90 Down is ASST, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
92 Down is SEXY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 21. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
94 Down is PAPI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with P and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
96 Down is EMIR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 10. It begins with E and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
97 Down is IRATE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 16. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
98 Down is CELLAR, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 17. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
103 Down is SWABS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with S 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.
104 Down is HANDY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 2. It begins with H and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
105 Down is APLIT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
107 Down is UTERI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with U and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
109 Down is BETON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with B and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
111 Down is GURU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with G and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
112 Down is SAPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with S 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.
114 Down is TREE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 15. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
118 Down is CUL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 12. It begins with C and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
119 Down is EDU, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 20. It begins with E and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
120 Down is SON, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 21. It begins with S and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 70 Across and 70 Down entries, with 75 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.