WSJ Crossword October 16, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for October 16, 2026, “On the Wrong Track,” is a Friday puzzle by Brad Wiegmann with 140 clues on a 21×21 grid. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution. The longest entry is CROCODILEROCK at 13 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 SAJAK, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Across is SCH, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with H, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
9 Across is BRAD, 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 CRAWS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 17. 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.
18 Across is ABASE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
19 Across is TOO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
20 Across is MAINE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with M and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
21 Across is HECHE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 17. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
22 Across is SAYMYNAME, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
24 Across is ALONE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
25 Across is INTER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with I and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
26 Across is TERMITE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 2. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
27 Across is ILLTUMBLE4YA, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 10. It begins with I and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 12 letters.
29 Across is AGED, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with A and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
30 Across is VEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with V and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
31 Across is AERIE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 14. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 5 letters.
32 Across is BRICKHOUSE, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with B and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
37 Across is TILDA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
39 Across is FRO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with F and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
42 Across is ROSIE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with R and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
43 Across is FEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with F and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
44 Across is MIG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with M and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
45 Across is WHALER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 16. It begins with W and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Across is EXITROW, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with E and ends with W, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
50 Across is CROCODILEROCK, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with C and ends with K, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters.
54 Across is DYNE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with D and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
55 Across is TARTAR, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
57 Across is TEN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 13. It begins with T and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
58 Across is LEROI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 17. It begins with L and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Across is MIRO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with M and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Across is NEATEN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with N and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
62 Across is LEARN, 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.
63 Across is LISTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with L and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
66 Across is BADLIAR, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with B and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
68 Across is ONLSD, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with O and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
69 Across is TANTE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Across is MIRIAM, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with M and ends with M, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
71 Across is EBRO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 14. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
73 Across is AUDIT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
74 Across is ANA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 7. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
75 Across is TESSIE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 11. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
77 Across is PORE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 18. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
81 Across is SPINNINGWHEEL, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters.
84 Across is NOTEPAD, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with N and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
86 Across is SEATAC, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with S and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
87 Across is AER, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
88 Across is UGG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with U and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
90 Across is HEAVE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 17. It begins with H and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
91 Across is ERN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with E and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
92 Across is ERIKA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 6. It begins with E and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
95 Across is FREEFALLIN, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with F and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
97 Across is SQUAT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with S and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Across is DRE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 10. It begins with D and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
101 Across is TWIT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
102 Across is SOAKUPTHESUN, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with S and ends with N, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters.
106 Across is HASSOCK, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 14. It begins with H and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
110 Across is ENNUI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with E and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
111 Across is HALLS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 7. It begins with H 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.
112 Across is HOTHOTHOT, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 13. It begins with H and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
114 Across is TITLE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
115 Across is ECLAT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 7. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
116 Across is AMC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 13. It begins with A and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
117 Across is DRANO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with D and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
118 Across is STILT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
119 Across is RASP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 7. It begins with R and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
120 Across is MEH, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 13. It begins with M and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
121 Across is DODGE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
Down
1 Down is SAS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
2 Down is ABAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
3 Down is JAYE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with J and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
4 Down is ASMR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with A and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Down is KEYMAKER, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with K and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
6 Down is STATEOFWAR, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
7 Down is COMEDUE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with C and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
8 Down is HOE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
9 Down is BALLETIC, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with B and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
10 Down is RIOT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
11 Down is ANNUAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with A and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
12 Down is DEEMED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with D and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
13 Down is CHILI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with C and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
14 Down is RENEE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with R and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
15 Down is ACT4, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with A and ends with 4, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
16 Down is WHEY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with W and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
17 Down is SERA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
20 Down is MALE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
23 Down is NIGH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with N and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
27 Down is IVE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 10. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
28 Down is BRAWL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 16. It begins with B and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
32 Down is BRED, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
33 Down is ROXY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
34 Down is ISIN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 3. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
35 Down is CITE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
36 Down is SECT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
38 Down is IGOTTA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
39 Down is FLORAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 19. 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.
40 Down is RECORD, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
41 Down is ORKIN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with O and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is MORELATER, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with M and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
46 Down is HELLNO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 17. It begins with H and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
47 Down is AREEL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with A and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
49 Down is OTIS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Down is RANDI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
52 Down is DEERES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 14. It begins with D 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.
53 Down is INN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with I and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
56 Down is ROBING, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with R and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
59 Down is MTETNA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with M and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
61 Down is AIMEE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 12. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Down is LAUPER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with L and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
64 Down is INDIAN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 3. It begins with I and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
65 Down is STINT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
67 Down is ARAWAK, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 9. It begins with A and ends with K, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
68 Down is OREO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
69 Down is TASSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Down is MAN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with M and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
72 Down is BINGEWATCH, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with B and ends with H, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
76 Down is SLUR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
77 Down is PEEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 18. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
78 Down is OPAL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 19. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
79 Down is RAVI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 20. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
80 Down is EDEN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 21. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
82 Down is ICEUP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with I and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
83 Down is HEADSLAP, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with H and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
85 Down is THATSODD, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 17. It begins with T and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
89 Down is GETHOME, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with G and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
93 Down is RATHER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with R and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
94 Down is ITHACA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 8. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Down is FEN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with F and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
96 Down is FISH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 16. It begins with F and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
97 Down is SKULL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with S and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
98 Down is QUIET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 5. It begins with Q and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Down is RUST, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
102 Down is SETS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with S 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.
103 Down is ONIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 2. It begins with O and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
104 Down is ANTI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
105 Down is ELLS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 9. It begins with E 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.
107 Down is OTRO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 18. It begins with O and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
108 Down is CHAD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with C and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
109 Down is KONG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 20. It begins with K and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
112 Down is HAM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 13. It begins with H and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
113 Down is TOE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 21. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 67 Across and 73 Down entries, with 78 black squares. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution.
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.