WSJ Crossword June 2, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for June 2, 2026, “Getting Closer,” is a Tuesday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 74 clues on a 15×15 grid. Tuesday puzzles stay approachable but start to introduce light wordplay in the theme entries, so keep an eye on the title for a hint. The longest entry is MADEADENTIN at 11 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 ANN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
4 Across is SWARM, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with S and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
9 Across is BRED, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
13 Across is LEO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
14 Across is ACACIA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 5. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
15 Across is AURA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
16 Across is EMS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
17 Across is MADEADENTIN, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 5. It begins with M and ends with N, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters.
19 Across is COWBIRDS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with C 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.
21 Across is REDSEA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 10. It begins with R and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
22 Across is IDEAL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 3. It begins with I and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
23 Across is OILS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 9. 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.
24 Across is HUMANBEING, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with H and ends with G, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
27 Across is AMES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
31 Across is EMMYS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
32 Across is DEA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Across is WOVE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with W and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
34 Across is RBI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with R and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
35 Across is CHILL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with C and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
37 Across is VEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 13. It begins with V and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
38 Across is VENT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with V and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
40 Across is LAO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
41 Across is JOINT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with J and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
43 Across is ERGO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Across is IIMAGINESO, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with I and ends with O, with 6 vowels among its 10 letters.
47 Across is RANG, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with R and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
49 Across is LENIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 9. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
50 Across is ASSISI, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with A and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
53 Across is FLEXTIME, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with F and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
56 Across is MAINSQUEEZE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with M and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 11 letters.
58 Across is GAP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with G and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
59 Across is INFO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with I and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Across is USAGES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with U 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.
61 Across is HUE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 13. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
62 Across is SETS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
63 Across is EATER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 6. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
64 Across is TIE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
Down
1 Down is ALEC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
2 Down is NEMO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with N and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
3 Down is NOSWIMMING, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with N and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters.
4 Down is SCARAB, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with S and ends with B, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
5 Down is WADDLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with W and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
6 Down is ACES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
7 Down is RIA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
8 Down is MADRIGAL, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with M and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
9 Down is BANDSAW, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with B and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
10 Down is RUTS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. 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.
11 Down is ERIE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
12 Down is DANA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Down is AMIENS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 5. It begins with A 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.
18 Down is EEL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 11. It begins with E and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
20 Down is BDAY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 4. It begins with B and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
23 Down is ONEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
24 Down is HERVE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
25 Down is UMBER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with U and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
26 Down is IDIOM, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with I and ends with M, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is MOVIENIGHT, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with M and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
29 Down is EVENS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
30 Down is SEETO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with S and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
35 Down is CLINIQUE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with C and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
36 Down is HAIG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with H and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is TORINOS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 4. It begins with T 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.
41 Down is JINXES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with J and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
42 Down is ONIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with O and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
45 Down is ALLEGE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Down is GEEZER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with G and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Down is ASS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
50 Down is AMIS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Down is SANE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
52 Down is SIFT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
53 Down is FEAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with F and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
54 Down is MAUI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 14. It begins with M and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
55 Down is EPEE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
57 Down is USA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 7. It begins with U and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Tuesday grid contains 37 Across and 37 Down entries, with 38 black squares. Tuesday puzzles stay approachable but start to introduce light wordplay in the theme entries, so keep an eye on the title for a hint.
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.