WSJ Crossword July 30, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for July 30, 2026, “Double-Header,” is a Thursday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 78 clues on a 15×15 grid. Thursday puzzles lean harder on misdirection, and the theme often has a twist that only becomes clear once a few of the long entries are in place. The longest entry is CASEYSTENGEL at 12 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 DEAF, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with D and ends with F, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
5 Across is BALI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with B and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
9 Across is PTS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with P and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
12 Across is PRADA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
13 Across is SIREN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
14 Across is AWE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
15 Across is JASONVARGAS, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with J and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
17 Across is BEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with B and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
18 Across is STY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
19 Across is BIGDO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with B and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
20 Across is OILER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 11. It begins with O and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
22 Across is APOP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 3. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
24 Across is ALLOTS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
25 Across is CASEYSTENGEL, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with C and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 12 letters.
30 Across is ORALS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with O 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.
31 Across is ICEES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with I 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.
32 Across is WAG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with W and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
35 Across is DEBT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with D and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
36 Across is OBOES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 6. 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.
37 Across is MOLE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
38 Across is SAC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with S and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
39 Across is BLEND, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
40 Across is TAROT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Across is PEDROALVAREZ, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with P and ends with Z, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters.
43 Across is RUMBLE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Across is OHMY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with O and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
47 Across is AVAST, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
48 Across is PATIO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with P and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
51 Across is WOW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with W and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
54 Across is NUT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
55 Across is WARRENSPAHN, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 5. It begins with W and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters.
58 Across is OLE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
59 Across is ALIEN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Across is THROW, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with T and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
61 Across is NAY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with N and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
62 Across is YAMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
63 Across is SITS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
Down
1 Down is DRAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with D and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
2 Down is EASYASABC, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with E and ends with C, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
3 Down is ADO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
4 Down is FANBOYS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with F 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.
5 Down is BIRD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
6 Down is ARGO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
7 Down is LEA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
8 Down is INSOLES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with I 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.
9 Down is PABLO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with P and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Down is TWEET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is SEERS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with S 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 PJS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with P 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.
13 Down is SAG, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with S and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
16 Down is VIPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with V 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.
21 Down is ILL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with I and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
23 Down is PELT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
24 Down is AGES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
25 Down is CODS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with C 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.
26 Down is AREA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
27 Down is TIBER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is ECONO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
29 Down is NEEDA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with N and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
32 Down is WORRYWART, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with W and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters.
33 Down is ALOE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 14. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
34 Down is GETZ, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 15. It begins with G and ends with Z, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
36 Down is OLDE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
37 Down is MAAM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with M and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is BELTWAY, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with B and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
40 Down is TVHOSTS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 7 letters.
41 Down is PBS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with P and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
42 Down is LOIN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Down is RANON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is UVULA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with U and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Down is MATEY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 3. It begins with M and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
48 Down is PRIM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with P and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
49 Down is ARES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
50 Down is TEN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with T and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
52 Down is OHOS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 14. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
53 Down is WNW, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with W and ends with W, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
56 Down is ALA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
57 Down is PHI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with P and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Thursday grid contains 37 Across and 41 Down entries, with 40 black squares. Thursday puzzles lean harder on misdirection, and the theme often has a twist that only becomes clear once a few of the long entries are in place.
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.