WSJ Crossword July 11, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for July 11, 2026, “Standard-Bearers,” is a Saturday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 138 clues on a 21×21 grid. Saturday brings the largest grid of the week, a wide-ranging themed puzzle that fills the weekend slot. The longest entry is SPARTANLAUREL 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 RESTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with R 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.
6 Across is IRENE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Across is PINATA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with P and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
17 Across is OXEYE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
18 Across is OLDROME, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
20 Across is MACARON, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with M and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
21 Across is SPARTANLAUREL, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
23 Across is IRELAND, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 15. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
24 Across is ELS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
25 Across is TIS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
26 Across is SPARKYSCRAPER, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 9. It begins with S and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
28 Across is TOA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
29 Across is ORES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. 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.
31 Across is THYMUS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
32 Across is ALE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 19. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Across is TILL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with T and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
35 Across is STAR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 6. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
37 Across is EKED, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with E and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Across is CHOW, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with C and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
40 Across is ATTACH, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with A and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
42 Across is MOP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with M and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
44 Across is PASSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Across is ROCS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 18. 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.
46 Across is MAIM, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 4. It begins with M and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
48 Across is ORBIT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with O and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
50 Across is BAA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with B and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
52 Across is TWISTPARTIES, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with T and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
56 Across is GRABBARS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with G and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
61 Across is HABIT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with H and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Across is DAFOE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Across is PRESS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with P and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
64 Across is DEC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 19. It begins with D and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
65 Across is EDIT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
66 Across is GATORPARADE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with G 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.
68 Across is LOLA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
69 Across is FEZ, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with F and ends with Z, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
70 Across is TIMER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
71 Across is ERASE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
72 Across is PERIL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
73 Across is TRAPEZES, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with T 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.
75 Across is FREEPARLANCE, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with F and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
77 Across is IAM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 4. It begins with I and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
78 Across is BESET, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
79 Across is LOON, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
80 Across is APPS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. 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.
83 Across is OSCAR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 6. It begins with O and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
86 Across is LOB, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 12. It begins with L and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
88 Across is ADIDAS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 16. It begins with A and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
92 Across is RARA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
93 Across is SAHL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 6. It begins with S and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
94 Across is RUDD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with R and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
96 Across is NOTH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 18. It begins with N and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
97 Across is CRO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with C and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
98 Across is LOSTTO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 7. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
102 Across is DIMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with D 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.
104 Across is ILE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
105 Across is HOMECOMPARING, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with H and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
110 Across is NAH, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 15. It begins with N and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
111 Across is CAL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with C and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
112 Across is ELPRADO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
113 Across is MELTINGPOPART, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with M and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
116 Across is RETAKEN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with R and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
117 Across is SEDONAS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, 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.
118 Across is PURGE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
119 Across is YESSES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with Y 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.
120 Across is DEPOT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 10. It begins with D and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
121 Across is STEER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
Down
1 Down is ROSETTA, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with R and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
2 Down is EXPLOIT, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with E and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
3 Down is SEASALT, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with S and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
4 Down is TYR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with T and ends with R, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
5 Down is SETTO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Down is ILL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with I and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
7 Down is RDAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with R and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
8 Down is ERUPT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is NORAH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with N and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Down is EMERY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is PARC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with P and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
12 Down is ICER, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with I and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
13 Down is NALA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Down is ARAPAHO, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with A and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
15 Down is TONELOC, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with T and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
16 Down is ANDREWS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
18 Down is ONSET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with O and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
19 Down is ELKMEAT, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with E and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
20 Down is MISSES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with M 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.
22 Down is AIRSHIP, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with A and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
27 Down is YUKS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 14. 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.
30 Down is SAM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 8. It begins with S and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
34 Down is LAMSIT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with L and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
36 Down is ROOTFOR, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with R and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
38 Down is DEBASE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 16. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
39 Down is CRAB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with C and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
41 Down is CATT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 5. It begins with C and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
43 Down is PRIOR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with P and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is PIS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with P 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.
47 Down is MADAME, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
49 Down is BEEPERS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 11. It begins with B 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.
51 Down is ABS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 17. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
52 Down is THEFT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
53 Down is WADER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 2. It begins with W and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Down is IBIZA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 3. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Down is RATES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
56 Down is GRASP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with G and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
57 Down is REDEAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with R and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
58 Down is ADORN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 19. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Down is RELIC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 20. It begins with R and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Down is SCALE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 21. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Down is PRAETOR, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with P and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
66 Down is GIZMOS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with G 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.
67 Down is AREEL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with A and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Down is LEANIN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with L and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
70 Down is TEA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
72 Down is PLOD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with P and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
74 Down is PISA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 4. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Down is FER, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with F and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
76 Down is ROADMAP, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with R and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
78 Down is BALSAMS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with B 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.
80 Down is ARCHERY, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
81 Down is PAROLEE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 2. It begins with P and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
82 Down is PROMPTS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 3. It begins with P and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
84 Down is SALMON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
85 Down is CHOP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with C and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
87 Down is BUD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
89 Down is DOICARE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 19. It begins with D and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
90 Down is ATLARGE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 20. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
91 Down is SHELTER, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 21. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
95 Down is DINGS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 15. 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.
99 Down is TREED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 10. It begins with T and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Down is TILDE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Down is ONTOP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 12. It begins with O and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
103 Down is SHOPS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 17. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
106 Down is ERAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 4. 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.
107 Down is CAKE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
108 Down is ODES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 6. 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.
109 Down is GINO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with G and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
114 Down is NAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 14. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
115 Down is PUT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 18. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Saturday grid contains 67 Across and 71 Down entries, with 74 black squares. Saturday brings the largest grid of the week, a wide-ranging themed puzzle that fills the weekend slot.
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.