WSJ Crossword May 11, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for May 11, 2026, “The Bottom Line,” is a Monday puzzle by Peter A. Collins with 74 clues on a 15×15 grid. Monday grids at the Journal are the gentlest of the week, with direct clues and familiar vocabulary, so most entries can be confirmed from a single crossing. The longest entry is PHOEBESNOW at 10 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 UNPACK, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with U and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Across is TSK, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with T and ends with K, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
10 Across is MEME, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Across is MORGUE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
15 Across is ELI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 8. It begins with E and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
16 Across is OMAN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with O and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
17 Across is PHOEBESNOW, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with P and ends with W, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
19 Across is MARC, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 12. It begins with M and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
20 Across is TUGS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with T 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 Across is PATTISMITH, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 6. It begins with P and ends with H, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters.
23 Across is ERR, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with E and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
24 Across is VINS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with V and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
25 Across is TALIA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with T and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
26 Across is ERASING, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with E and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
28 Across is BATSMAN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with B and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
30 Across is NYMET, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
31 Across is MOTH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with M and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
32 Across is ENT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with E and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
33 Across is PAULSIMON, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 4. It begins with P and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
37 Across is CDC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with C and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
40 Across is MATT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with M and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
41 Across is MORSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with M 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.
45 Across is HEADIER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with H and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
47 Across is OVARIES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with O and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
49 Across is ASPEN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
50 Across is APES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 8. 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.
51 Across is BAP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with B and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
52 Across is PETESEEGER, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with P and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 10 letters.
55 Across is REPO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 12. It begins with R and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
56 Across is TRAM, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with T and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
57 Across is PSILOVEYOU, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with P and ends with U, with 5 vowels among its 10 letters.
59 Across is EVIE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Across is PAL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with P and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
61 Across is NINERS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with N and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
62 Across is REND, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with R and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
63 Across is SUE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 6. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
64 Across is ADESTE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 10. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
Down
1 Down is UMPTEEN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with U and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
2 Down is NOHURRY, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with N and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
3 Down is PROGRAM, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with P and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
4 Down is AGES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
5 Down is CUB, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with C and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
6 Down is KEEPIN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with K and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Down is TENTS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with T 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.
8 Down is SLOT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
9 Down is KIWI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with K and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
10 Down is MOMMAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with M and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
11 Down is EMAILME, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
12 Down is MARTIAN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with M and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
13 Down is ENCHANT, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
18 Down is SANG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 7. It begins with S and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
22 Down is STTHOMAS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 11. It begins with S 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.
24 Down is VITAMINS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with V and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
27 Down is SEP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with S and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
28 Down is BOI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with B and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
29 Down is ATM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with A and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
31 Down is MST, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with M and ends with T, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
34 Down is UAE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with U and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
35 Down is LTR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with L and ends with R, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
36 Down is NOR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with N and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
37 Down is CHAPTER, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
38 Down is DESERVE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 2. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
39 Down is CAPTAIN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 3. It begins with C and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
42 Down is RIBEYES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 13. It begins with R 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.
43 Down is SEAPORT, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with S and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
44 Down is ESPOUSE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
46 Down is DEEMED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with D and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
47 Down is OPEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
48 Down is VERONA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with V and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
50 Down is AGILE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
53 Down is EPPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 6. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
54 Down is ESAU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with E and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
55 Down is RENE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 12. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
58 Down is VID, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 11. It begins with V and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
About this puzzle
This Monday grid contains 37 Across and 37 Down entries, with 32 black squares. Monday grids at the Journal are the gentlest of the week, with direct clues and familiar vocabulary, so most entries can be confirmed from a single crossing.
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.