WSJ Crossword May 9, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for May 9, 2026, “Shifters,” is a Saturday puzzle by Mike Shenk 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 MOTHBOARDER 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 PRIMO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Across is CRAIG, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with C and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Across is TWOD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
15 Across is BOSH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with B and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
19 Across is IONIC, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with I and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
20 Across is RICCI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
21 Across is HIRE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is OKIE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
23 Across is QUARTBACKER, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with Q and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
25 Across is AFTGLOWER, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with A and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
27 Across is UNIVALVE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with U and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
28 Across is SLATES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 10. 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.
30 Across is ALINE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 17. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
31 Across is EDD, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with E and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
32 Across is DUE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Across is MODIFY, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with M and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
34 Across is MTETNA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with M and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
35 Across is USE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with U and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
36 Across is SUVARI, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with S and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
37 Across is ROI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
38 Across is HAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with H and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
39 Across is IWON, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
42 Across is NAILED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with N and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
44 Across is GIORNO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with G and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
47 Across is CENTFOLDER, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with C and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
49 Across is NUMBSIGNER, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with N and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
53 Across is ONTOAST, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with O and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
54 Across is MARLEE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
55 Across is RIPE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 18. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
56 Across is NTH, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with N and ends with H, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
57 Across is LEOS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with L 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.
59 Across is CAMEOS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with C 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.
60 Across is LENIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 17. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Across is GEILS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with G and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Across is PROCESS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with P 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.
65 Across is GUSTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 16. 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.
66 Across is CARPS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with C 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.
67 Across is GROVES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with G 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.
68 Across is TALC, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 14. It begins with T and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
70 Across is EON, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 19. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
72 Across is AGUA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
73 Across is GUISES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with G 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.
74 Across is NOCANDO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with N and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
76 Across is WANDLUSTER, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with W and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
78 Across is MASTMINDER, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with M and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
81 Across is SENSES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 4. 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.
82 Across is PASTES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with P and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
83 Across is NOVA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 18. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
84 Across is LAB, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with L and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
87 Across is DIY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with D and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
88 Across is ACADIA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
90 Across is ODE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 16. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
92 Across is IROBOT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with I and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
94 Across is TRAJAN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Across is RNA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 15. It begins with R and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
96 Across is CPA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with C and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
99 Across is MOTIF, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with M and ends with F, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Across is PREFAB, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with P and ends with B, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
101 Across is CUTSDEEP, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 14. It begins with C and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
103 Across is BUTTFLYER, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with B and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
105 Across is MOTHBOARDER, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with M and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
107 Across is ISLE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
108 Across is ARNE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 6. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
109 Across is AURAL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 11. It begins with A and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
110 Across is NUEVO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with N and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
111 Across is CEES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with C 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.
112 Across is TODD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 6. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
113 Across is STYNE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 11. It begins with S and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
114 Across is IBSEN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
Down
1 Down is PIQUE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
2 Down is ROUND, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
3 Down is INAID, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
4 Down is MIRV, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with M and ends with V, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Down is OCTADS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
6 Down is CRAVE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
7 Down is RICE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
8 Down is ACK, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
9 Down is ICESOVER, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with I and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
10 Down is GIRLDAD, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with G and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
11 Down is THATFIGURES, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with T and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
12 Down is WIFEY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with W and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
13 Down is ORTS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with O 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 Down is DEG, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with D and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
15 Down is BOOLE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
16 Down is OKWITH, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with O and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
17 Down is SIENNA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with S and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
18 Down is HEREAT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with H and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
24 Down is BLUENOSES, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with B and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
26 Down is LATINI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with L and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
29 Down is AIR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Down is MULE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
34 Down is MORSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
35 Down is UNTO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with U and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
36 Down is SID, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
37 Down is ROBES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
39 Down is ICON, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
40 Down is WENTGAGA, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 2. It begins with W and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
41 Down is ONTHERUN, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 3. It begins with O and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
43 Down is ALTO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
45 Down is IMLOST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 14. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Down is OGRES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 18. 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.
48 Down is FALLS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 5. It begins with F and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
49 Down is NAMES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with N 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.
50 Down is NINTENDO, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with N and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
51 Down is EPISODEV, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 20. It begins with E and ends with V, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
52 Down is REN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 21. It begins with R and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
54 Down is MACES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with M 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.
58 Down is SPRITE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 8. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
59 Down is COVER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Down is LUCCI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 17. It begins with L and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Down is IPADS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 4. 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.
64 Down is ROSESARERED, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 9. It begins with R and ends with D, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters.
65 Down is GLOMSONTO, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with G and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
66 Down is CAW, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with C and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
67 Down is GUSSY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with G and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
69 Down is ANTE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
71 Down is NORA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 21. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
73 Down is GUNIT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with G and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
75 Down is ANNE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 18. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
77 Down is LEDOFF, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with L and ends with F, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
78 Down is MADABOUT, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with M and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
79 Down is ASIN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 13. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
80 Down is STA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 14. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
82 Down is PAJAMAS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with P and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
84 Down is LIMBIC, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with L and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
85 Down is AROUSE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 2. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
86 Down is BOTTLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 3. It begins with B and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
89 Down is CAF, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with C and ends with F, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
91 Down is DASANI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 17. It begins with D and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
93 Down is BITES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with B 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.
94 Down is TREND, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
95 Down is RUBLE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 15. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
96 Down is CEDES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
97 Down is PEEVE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 20. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
98 Down is APRON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 21. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Down is PYRO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with P and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
101 Down is CHAN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 14. It begins with C and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
102 Down is DRUB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 18. It begins with D and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
104 Down is LAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 6. It begins with L and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
106 Down is TRY, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 13. It begins with T and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Saturday grid contains 69 Across and 71 Down entries, with 66 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.