WSJ Crossword August 28, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for August 28, 2026, “Set Piece,” is a Friday puzzle by Gary Larson & Amy Ensz with 138 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 VICIOUSCIRCLE 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 TAMA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
5 Across is SNIT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
9 Across is MCDLT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with M and ends with T, with 0 vowels among its 5 letters.
14 Across is DIVA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Across is OASES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. 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.
19 Across is HIGH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with H and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
20 Across is AROAR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with A and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
21 Across is ERAS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with E 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.
22 Across is BUSHLEAGUE, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with B and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
24 Across is SUMMERCAMP, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 12. It begins with S and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
26 Across is ARI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
27 Across is AFGHAN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
28 Across is SEEP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with S and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Across is ALTOS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 17. 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.
30 Across is MUSTNT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with M and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
32 Across is NOVELS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with N 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.
34 Across is PRIES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with P 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.
35 Across is ASTI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
36 Across is SHARI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with S and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Across is PEEN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with P and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Across is VIOLA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with V and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
42 Across is MCI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with M and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
44 Across is CARLESS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 14. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
47 Across is STRONGARM, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with S and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
51 Across is IMHAPPY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 11. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
53 Across is RED, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with R and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
55 Across is ORO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with O and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
56 Across is DRYER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with D and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
57 Across is OPERAS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with O and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
58 Across is SITE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 18. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
59 Across is LASSIES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with L 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.
61 Across is SLUICES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with S 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.
63 Across is MALTA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 17. It begins with M and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
64 Across is EVITES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
65 Across is SPASSKY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 7 letters.
66 Across is GERALD, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with G and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
67 Across is DONAS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Across is BLOTCHY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with B and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 7 letters.
69 Across is TRAINEE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with T and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
70 Across is ALEX, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with A and ends with X, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
71 Across is TAICHI, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with T and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
72 Across is EPEES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
74 Across is KIN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 19. It begins with K and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
75 Across is DTS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
76 Across is TRUCKER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
77 Across is STEELBAND, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 13. It begins with S and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
79 Across is ASTRIDE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 2. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
81 Across is DCI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 10. It begins with D and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Across is ANDYS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
84 Across is AIMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 4. It begins with A 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.
85 Across is LOESS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 11. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
87 Across is EGGS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 18. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
91 Across is MARTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 2. It begins with M 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.
93 Across is TOKENS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
96 Across is BADLOT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 16. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
98 Across is MACHO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with M and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Across is ROUE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with R and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
100 Across is ECLAIR, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
103 Across is ADA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
104 Across is GREENPARTY, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with G and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
106 Across is SHORTORDER, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 12. It begins with S and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
108 Across is RILE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
109 Across is AFIRE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 6. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
110 Across is CEDE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 12. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
111 Across is MATES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with M 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.
112 Across is SEAL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
113 Across is RACED, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 6. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
114 Across is OWES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 12. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
115 Across is ATOP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
Down
1 Down is TAURUS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with T and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is ASSIST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is MEH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with M and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
4 Down is ASLAN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
5 Down is SHAG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
6 Down is NIGH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with N and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
7 Down is IGUANA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with I and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
8 Down is THENORM, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with T and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
9 Down is MASSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Down is CRUEL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with C and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is DOMES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. 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.
12 Down is LAMP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with L and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
13 Down is TRE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with T and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
14 Down is DECLINE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
15 Down is IRATE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
16 Down is VAMOS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with V and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
17 Down is ASPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with A 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.
18 Down is OBAMA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
23 Down is EFT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with E and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
25 Down is RARELY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
31 Down is TIVO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
33 Down is VICIOUSCIRCLE, a 13-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with V and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
34 Down is PERPS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with P and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
36 Down is SLAYS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
37 Down is HARE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
38 Down is PAPAS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with P and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
40 Down is INDIES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 5. It begins with I and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
41 Down is OGRES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
43 Down is IMPISH, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with I and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
44 Down is CAREY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 14. It begins with C and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Down is SRILANKA, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 19. It begins with S and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
46 Down is SETTLEIN, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 20. It begins with S and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
47 Down is SOLEDAD, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with S and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
48 Down is TRAVOLTA, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with T and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
49 Down is ROSINESS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with R and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
50 Down is MRSPOCK, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with M and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 7 letters.
52 Down is HECKYES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 13. It begins with H and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
54 Down is DEADEND, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 21. It begins with D and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
58 Down is SARI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 18. It begins with S and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Down is STAX, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with S and ends with X, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
62 Down is LATHED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with L and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
63 Down is MEASLY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 17. It begins with M and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
65 Down is SLICE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
66 Down is GREED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with G and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Down is BAUDS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with B 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.
69 Down is TEENS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. 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.
71 Down is TRIMS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
73 Down is PTAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 14. It begins with P 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.
76 Down is TRITON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
78 Down is BSED, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
80 Down is TARHEEL, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 4. It begins with T and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
82 Down is IONESCO, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 12. It begins with I and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
86 Down is ESCHEW, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with E and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
88 Down is GLADTO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 19. It begins with G and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
89 Down is GODEEP, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 20. It begins with G and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
90 Down is STARS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 21. 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.
91 Down is MARIE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 2. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
92 Down is ACELA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 3. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
93 Down is TORIC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with T and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
94 Down is OUTRE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 9. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
95 Down is KEYED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 10. It begins with K and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
96 Down is BIT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 16. It begins with B and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
97 Down is AROMA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 17. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
98 Down is MGRS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with M and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 4 letters.
99 Down is RAFA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
101 Down is LODE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 14. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
102 Down is ARES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 15. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
105 Down is PAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 6. It begins with P and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
107 Down is RAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 18. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 69 Across and 69 Down entries, with 74 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.