WSJ Crossword July 17, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for July 17, 2026, “Oh, Grow Up!,” is a Friday puzzle by Aaron Ullman with 134 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 LETSBEADULTSABOUTTHIS at 21 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 ACTORS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Across is STALES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
13 Across is PLEASE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
19 Across is WORDUP, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with W and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
20 Across is THRESH, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 8. It begins with T and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
21 Across is POUNDIT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with P and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
22 Across is AMOEBA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
23 Across is REGGAE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 8. It begins with R and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
24 Across is RINGERS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 15. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
25 Across is KITTENGOTYOURTONGUE, a 19-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with K and ends with E, with 8 vowels among its 19 letters.
28 Across is ECHO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Across is OPAL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
30 Across is PASTEL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
31 Across is MANO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with M and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
34 Across is BEATADEADFOAL, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with B and ends with L, with 7 vowels among its 13 letters.
40 Across is DRAPED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 2. It begins with D and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
42 Across is CASA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with C and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Across is SUMO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Across is LOANPUP, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with L and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
45 Across is ABEL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
47 Across is IMS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with I 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.
50 Across is ZEN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with Z and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
51 Across is OBI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with O and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
52 Across is STRADA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
54 Across is CYGNETSONG, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with C and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 10 letters.
58 Across is LITE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Across is DJIA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 8. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
62 Across is EISNER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
63 Across is LETSBEADULTSABOUTTHIS, a 21-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with L and ends with S, with 8 vowels among its 21 letters.
71 Across is PURGES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 4. It begins with P 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.
72 Across is VERB, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with V and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
73 Across is AONE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
74 Across is JOEYCOURTS, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with J and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
78 Across is ALSACE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
82 Across is PIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 19. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Across is UHS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with U and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
84 Across is SSA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
85 Across is PITY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with P and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
87 Across is CUBHUGS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with C 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.
89 Across is DIPS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
91 Across is KEEP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with K and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
93 Across is CREEPO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with C and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
94 Across is DONTHAVEACALF, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with D and ends with F, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters.
100 Across is ETNA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 15. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
101 Across is RELIES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with R 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.
102 Across is OILS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 12. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
104 Across is DAHS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with D 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.
108 Across is TADPOLEINONESTHROAT, a 19-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with T and ends with T, with 8 vowels among its 19 letters.
113 Across is STENGEL, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
115 Across is DOESIN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with D and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
116 Across is OVERDO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 16. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
117 Across is ZINGERS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with Z 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.
118 Across is UNSENT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 9. It begins with U and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
119 Across is GASTON, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 16. It begins with G and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
120 Across is ATTEST, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
121 Across is PASSGO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 9. It begins with P and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
122 Across is OCTANE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 16. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
Down
1 Down is AWAKE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
2 Down is COMIC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with C and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
3 Down is TROTH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with T and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
4 Down is ODETOMAN, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with O and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
5 Down is RUBE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
6 Down is SPAN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with S and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
7 Down is STROP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with S and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
8 Down is THETAB, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with T and ends with B, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
9 Down is ARGYLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
10 Down is LEGO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
11 Down is ESAU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with E and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
12 Down is SHERPAS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. 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.
13 Down is POINTA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with P and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
14 Down is LUNGED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with L and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
15 Down is ENGULFS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with E 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.
16 Down is ADEE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
17 Down is SIR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
18 Down is ETS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
21 Down is PROSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
26 Down is GOODPR, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 7. It begins with G and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
27 Down is TADA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 14. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
32 Down is APPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 5. 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.
33 Down is NEUT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 6. It begins with N and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
35 Down is ACE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
36 Down is TALC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with T and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
37 Down is OUZO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
38 Down is AMEN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is LONG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with L and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
40 Down is DOBIE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 2. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Down is RAITT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 3. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is LOLL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with L and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
45 Down is ADJUST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
46 Down is BAIL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with B and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
47 Down is INSO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with I and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
48 Down is MENU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with M and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
49 Down is STET, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 17. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
53 Down is ADDER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Down is YEARLY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 13. It begins with Y and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
56 Down is GIBBS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with G and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
57 Down is SRTA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 18. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
59 Down is ESPY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
61 Down is ATV, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with A and ends with V, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
64 Down is BUCS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with B 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.
65 Down is EROS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
66 Down is AGUA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 7. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
67 Down is SEAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with S and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
68 Down is HOPUP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with H and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
69 Down is INIGO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 20. It begins with I and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Down is SETS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 21. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
74 Down is JUDD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with J and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
75 Down is OHIO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 2. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
76 Down is ESPN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 3. It begins with E and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
77 Down is SPEC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with S and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
79 Down is ACCESS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
80 Down is CURT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with C and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
81 Down is EBEN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
86 Down is IPA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
88 Down is HEADREST, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with H and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
90 Down is STRANGE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 4. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
91 Down is KEEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with K and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
92 Down is EASEDUP, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with E and ends with P, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
95 Down is HEDGES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with H and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
96 Down is ALPERT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 6. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
97 Down is VIOLS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with V 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.
98 Down is LOOSES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with L 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.
99 Down is FINING, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with F and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
103 Down is LENTO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
105 Down is AORTA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
106 Down is HADON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 20. It begins with H and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
107 Down is STONE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 21. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
108 Down is TENT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
109 Down is IONA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 10. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
110 Down is NESS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with N 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.
111 Down is TOGO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 16. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
112 Down is HVAC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with H and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
113 Down is SZA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
114 Down is TIT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 2. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 57 Across and 77 Down entries, with 80 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.