WSJ Crossword August 23, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for August 23, 2026, “C-llectively Speaking,” is a Sunday puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels & Kevin Christian with 74 clues on a 15×15 grid. Weekend puzzles at the Journal follow the same conventions as the weekday grids, with a title that hints at the theme and a difficulty a notch above midweek. The longest entry is CILLIANMURPHY 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 MAR, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with M and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
4 Across is TRAIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Across is LGBT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with L and ends with T, with 0 vowels among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
13 Across is ORE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
14 Across is ANGLO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 5. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
15 Across is AEIOU, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with A and ends with U, with 5 vowels among its 5 letters.
17 Across is NIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
18 Across is CALLSHOTGUN, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 5. It begins with C and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters.
20 Across is ASIA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is OBIES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 7. 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.
23 Across is MRC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 13. It begins with M and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
24 Across is CELLTOWERS, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with C and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters.
27 Across is COIL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with C and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
28 Across is ONEARM, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with O and ends with M, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
29 Across is SOUSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
30 Across is INDIE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 5. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
34 Across is PUTTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with P and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
35 Across is CILLIANMURPHY, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with C and ends with Y, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters.
39 Across is MODEL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with M and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
40 Across is SAUCY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Across is AVOWS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with A 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.
42 Across is LENTIL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with L and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
47 Across is REND, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with R and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
48 Across is COLLARBONE, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with C and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
52 Across is ART, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
53 Across is TOMEI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with T and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Across is CAVE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 12. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
55 Across is CULLIGANMAN, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with C and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
59 Across is SEW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with S and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
60 Across is APIAN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Across is NIECE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 7. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Across is TSA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 13. It begins with T and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
63 Across is SEXT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 2. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
64 Across is INSET, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Across is STY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
Down
1 Down is MONACO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with M and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is ARISEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is RETILE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with R and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
4 Down is TAC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with T and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
5 Down is RNA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with R and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
6 Down is AGLOW, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with A and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
7 Down is ILLBE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
8 Down is NOSIR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with N and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is LAOS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
10 Down is GET, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with G and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
11 Down is BIGMOUTH, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with B and ends with H, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
12 Down is TOURISTY, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with T and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
16 Down is UNCLES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with U 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.
19 Down is HES, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 10. It begins with H and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
21 Down is ALA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 4. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
25 Down is TRILLS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
26 Down is OMNI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with O and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
27 Down is COUP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with C and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Down is SPRYER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
31 Down is DAS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with D and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
32 Down is INA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Down is EMU, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with E and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
35 Down is COVERUPS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with C and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
36 Down is IDONTLIE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
37 Down is LEWD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 4. It begins with L and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
38 Down is UCLA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with U and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is MARACA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with M and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
43 Down is NBC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 12. It begins with N and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
44 Down is TOASTS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with T 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.
45 Down is INVEST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Down is LEEWAY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 15. It begins with L and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Down is COG, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with C and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
49 Down is OMANI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 7. It begins with O and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
50 Down is LENIN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
51 Down is LIMES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 9. 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.
53 Down is TINT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
56 Down is LAX, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 4. It begins with L and ends with X, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
57 Down is ACE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
58 Down is NET, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 11. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Sunday grid contains 35 Across and 39 Down entries, with 40 black squares. Weekend puzzles at the Journal follow the same conventions as the weekday grids, with a title that hints at the theme and a difficulty a notch above midweek.
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.