WSJ Crossword May 16, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for May 16, 2026, “F Is For...,” is a Saturday puzzle by Zhouqin Burnikel with 140 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 FAHRENHEITSCALE at 15 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 STOW, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Across is MADAM, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with M and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Across is CUPS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 12. 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.
14 Across is ACLS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
18 Across is OBOE, a 4-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 4 letters.
19 Across is ABOVE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 6. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
20 Across is ATOP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
21 Across is SPREE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 17. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
22 Across is FAHRENHEITSCALE, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with F and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 15 letters.
25 Across is CRAVE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
26 Across is ARSENIO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with A and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
27 Across is DEATH, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 9. It begins with D and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Across is CROONED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 15. It begins with C and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
30 Across is STARS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with S 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.
32 Across is FUNCTIONKEY, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with F and ends with Y, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
34 Across is WAFER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with W and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
37 Across is SCONES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with S 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.
40 Across is RESTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with R and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
41 Across is EXETER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
43 Across is IPOS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with I 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.
44 Across is KIRKE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with K and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Across is FUN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 19. It begins with F and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
48 Across is DEM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with D and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
49 Across is EIFFEL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 5. It begins with E and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
51 Across is INN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with I and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
52 Across is IDCARD, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with I and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
54 Across is SLAP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with S and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
56 Across is FRIDAYNIGHT, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with F and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters.
59 Across is OLGA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 18. It begins with O and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Across is LAILA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 3. It begins with L and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Across is ESTEE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Across is RUSES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 17. It begins with R 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.
64 Across is DESCEND, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with D and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
66 Across is CST, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with C and ends with T, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
67 Across is SCRAPES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 14. 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.
69 Across is FILTH, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with F and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
70 Across is CANON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with C and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
72 Across is TESLA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
73 Across is IDEA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
74 Across is FORCEOFEVIL, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with F and ends with L, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters.
78 Across is ELAN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 18. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
81 Across is FIASCO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with F and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
83 Across is LID, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 8. It begins with L and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
84 Across is ALICIA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
86 Across is ASU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 19. It begins with A and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
87 Across is END, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with E and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
88 Across is HOLES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with H 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.
90 Across is LIMO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
91 Across is TEHRAN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 16. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
93 Across is RADON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 4. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
94 Across is CAROLE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with C and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
96 Across is ROMPS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 17. 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.
97 Across is FLUORINEGAS, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with F and ends with S, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters.
101 Across is AUDIT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
103 Across is LASTLEG, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with L and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
104 Across is ELSIE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 9. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
107 Across is GOATEES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 15. It begins with G 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.
111 Across is UNITE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with U and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
112 Across is FAILINTHECLUTCH, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 7. It begins with F and ends with H, with 5 vowels among its 15 letters.
115 Across is BANES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
116 Across is ORCA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 7. It begins with O and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
117 Across is ININK, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 12. It begins with I and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
118 Across is BARE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 18. It begins with B and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
119 Across is SIGN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
120 Across is RIOS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 7. It begins with R 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.
121 Across is TAPES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 12. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
122 Across is STUD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 18. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
Down
1 Down is SOFA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
2 Down is TBAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with T and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
3 Down is OOHS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
4 Down is WERESET, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with W and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
5 Down is MANIA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with M and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Down is ABHORS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Down is DOE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
8 Down is AVID, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
9 Down is METE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
10 Down is CACTUS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
11 Down is UTAHN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with U and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
12 Down is POL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with P and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
13 Down is SPECTER, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
14 Down is APRONS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with A 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.
15 Down is CRANK, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with C and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
16 Down is LEVEE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with L and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
17 Down is SEEDY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
21 Down is SCOOTED, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 17. It begins with S and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
23 Down is ENTREE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 5. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
24 Down is SAFES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 11. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
29 Down is RISKIT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 16. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
31 Down is SCIFI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 8. It begins with S and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
33 Down is CRINGES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 14. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
34 Down is WEDS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with W and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
35 Down is AXEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
36 Down is FEMALELEAD, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 3. It begins with F and ends with D, with 5 vowels among its 10 letters.
38 Down is OPED, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with O and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is NOLA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
42 Down is RIFLE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is KNIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with K and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
45 Down is FALSEALARM, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 19. It begins with F and ends with M, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
46 Down is URGES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 20. It begins with U and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
47 Down is NDAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 21. 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.
50 Down is FRANCO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with F and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
51 Down is INST, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with I and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
53 Down is COUPLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 18. It begins with C and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
55 Down is PASTAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, 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.
57 Down is YESNO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with Y and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
58 Down is HECTIC, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with H and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
61 Down is ICH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with I and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
63 Down is RAS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 17. It begins with R 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.
64 Down is DIDIN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with D and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Down is DARLENE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
66 Down is COED, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with C and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
68 Down is RELIT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
69 Down is FIFE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with F and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
71 Down is NCIS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with N and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
74 Down is FOODIE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with F and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
75 Down is FAIR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with F and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
76 Down is ELMO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
77 Down is VIOLA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 14. It begins with V and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
79 Down is ASAP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 20. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
80 Down is NUNS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 21. It begins with N 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.
82 Down is CHARLES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
85 Down is AERIAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 17. It begins with A and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
89 Down is LONGFOR, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with L and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
90 Down is LASSI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with L and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
92 Down is HOTTUBS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 18. It begins with H 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.
93 Down is ROTTEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 4. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
94 Down is CALLAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Down is EUGENE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 15. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
97 Down is FLUBS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with F 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.
98 Down is LANAI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 2. It begins with L and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Down is USING, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 3. It begins with U and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Down is GEICO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 9. It begins with G and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
102 Down is DOCKS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 16. 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.
105 Down is INIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
106 Down is ETNA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
108 Down is ETAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
109 Down is ECRU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 20. It begins with E and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
110 Down is SHED, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 21. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
113 Down is ARI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 8. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
114 Down is HIP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 14. It begins with H and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Saturday grid contains 67 Across and 73 Down entries, with 72 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.