WSJ Crossword May 23, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for May 23, 2026, “Doling Out,” is a Saturday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 138 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 GARBAGEDUMPLING 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 BOSSMAN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with B and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
8 Across is ONBASE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
14 Across is GIBBS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with G 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.
19 Across is ANTOINE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
20 Across is BLOOMED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 9. It begins with B and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
21 Across is ONEAL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 17. It begins with O and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
22 Across is GARBAGEDUMPLING, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with G and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 15 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
24 Across is LADLE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
25 Across is GUESTS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with G and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
26 Across is IDEA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 8. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
27 Across is DEMO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 14. It begins with D and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Across is DAD, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 19. It begins with D and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
30 Across is ETA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
31 Across is ATTN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with A and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
33 Across is CROSSBOWLING, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with C and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
37 Across is DOME, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Across is ROOT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 6. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
41 Across is PLOYS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with P 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.
42 Across is ONCE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Across is PROD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with P and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
45 Across is HATEON, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with H and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Across is SAGES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 17. 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.
49 Across is BEASTMODELING, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with B and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
53 Across is PAID, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with P and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
55 Across is EXPOS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
56 Across is IKONS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with I 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.
57 Across is FELTSAFE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with F and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
61 Across is ECON, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
62 Across is MAVINS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with M and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
64 Across is COCOA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with C and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Across is RIG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 19. It begins with R and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
66 Across is PIGSTYLING, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with P and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
68 Across is BENHURLING, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with B and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
70 Across is ETE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
71 Across is ACING, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with A and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
72 Across is LANDED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with L and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
73 Across is AOKI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with A and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
74 Across is DEEPFAKE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with D and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
76 Across is TESSA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
77 Across is MASON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with M and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
78 Across is ETRE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 4. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
79 Across is MOVIESTARLING, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with M and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
82 Across is STEPS, a 5-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 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
85 Across is WARIER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with W and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
86 Across is ELSA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
87 Across is PINS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with P 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.
88 Across is VIALS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 6. 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.
90 Across is SEAL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with S and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
92 Across is ARAB, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 18. It begins with A and ends with B, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
96 Across is INDIAINKLING, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with I and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
100 Across is ARTS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
102 Across is OVA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with O and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
103 Across is NAW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with N and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
104 Across is NASA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
105 Across is EELS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with E 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.
107 Across is HEFTED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 16. It begins with H and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
109 Across is AFIRE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
111 Across is ENTRANCEFEELING, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 7. It begins with E and ends with G, with 6 vowels among its 15 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
115 Across is CESAR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
116 Across is ADAPTED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 7. It begins with A and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
117 Across is ARRANGE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 15. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
118 Across is HYENA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
119 Across is MARMOT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 7. It begins with M and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
120 Across is TESTIER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 15. It begins with T and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
Down
1 Down is BAGGED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with B and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is ONAUTO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with O and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is STREAM, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with S and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
4 Down is SOBS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Down is MIATA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with M and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Down is ANGSTROM, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with A and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
7 Down is NEE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
8 Down is OLMEC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with O and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is NOPAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with N and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Down is BOL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with B and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
11 Down is AMI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
12 Down is SENDSON, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
13 Down is EDGEBY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
14 Down is GOLOW, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with G and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
15 Down is INA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
16 Down is BEDDING, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with B and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
17 Down is BALANCE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
18 Down is SLEDGES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. 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.
20 Down is BUD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 9. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
23 Down is DINO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 8. It begins with D and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
28 Down is MOS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 16. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
32 Down is TODO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
34 Down is OPENS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
35 Down is SLOG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with S and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
36 Down is LOADS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Down is EPSONS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with E 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 Down is THEKING, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with T and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
44 Down is RTS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 5. It begins with R 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.
46 Down is ALONG, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with A and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
47 Down is TINS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 11. 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.
48 Down is SITAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 17. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
49 Down is BEEPED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with B and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
50 Down is EXCITE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
51 Down is APOGEE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
52 Down is DIVINE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
53 Down is PECHE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Down is ALOUD, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with A and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
57 Down is FONDAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with F 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.
58 Down is ARIOSI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 19. It begins with A and ends with I, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
59 Down is FINKON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 20. It begins with F and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
60 Down is EGGING, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 21. It begins with E and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
62 Down is MYCAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with M and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
63 Down is ALIKE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
64 Down is CENSERS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 13. 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.
67 Down is TAFTS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
68 Down is BASIE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
69 Down is LAALAA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with L and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
72 Down is LEVI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with L and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Down is PEPSI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 4. It begins with P and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
76 Down is TORSI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with T and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
77 Down is MRS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with M and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
79 Down is MALL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with M and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
80 Down is TEAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
81 Down is ALLTHERE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 16. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
82 Down is SPINACH, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with S and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
83 Down is TINAFEY, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 2. It begins with T and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
84 Down is ENDWISE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 3. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
85 Down is WAKANDA, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with W and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
88 Down is VIA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 6. It begins with V and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
89 Down is INSEAM, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with I and ends with M, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
91 Down is EASE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
93 Down is ROTINI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 19. It begins with R and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
94 Down is AVENGE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 20. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Down is BADGER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 21. It begins with B and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
97 Down is ANERA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 5. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
98 Down is NEATO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with N and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Down is GENET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 12. It begins with G and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Down is SEERS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 17. 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.
106 Down is LCD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with L and ends with D, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
108 Down is FLAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 18. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
110 Down is RAN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 4. It begins with R and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
112 Down is TAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with T and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
113 Down is RPM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 10. It begins with R and ends with M, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
114 Down is FAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 15. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Saturday grid contains 64 Across and 74 Down entries, with 65 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.