WSJ Crossword October 2, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for October 2, 2026, “In the Pits,” is a Friday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 144 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 SIDNEYPOITIER 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 MARMALADE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with M and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
10 Across is ANT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
13 Across is LES, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with L and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
16 Across is FLO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with F and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
19 Across is CLEARASIL, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with C and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
20 Across is REA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
21 Across is ITCHIER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with I and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
23 Across is SIDNEYPOITIER, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with S and ends with R, with 6 vowels among its 13 letters.
25 Across is SARALEE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 15. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
26 Across is SAL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 4. It begins with S and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
27 Across is ROI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 8. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
28 Across is SPRITEZERO, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with S and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
30 Across is ATV, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with A and ends with V, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
33 Across is MAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with M and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
35 Across is GOOSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with G and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
37 Across is WET, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 17. It begins with W and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
38 Across is LHASA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
40 Across is ASTERN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
43 Across is TOPOLOGY, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with T and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
48 Across is BESTPICTURE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with B and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
50 Across is RANIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
51 Across is FOE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 19. It begins with F and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
52 Across is ELSA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
53 Across is STEMS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 6. 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.
54 Across is CAGES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with C 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.
55 Across is PITA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 18. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
56 Across is IMAY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
57 Across is PIET, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with P and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
58 Across is FAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
59 Across is ATTESTS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with A 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.
61 Across is TALES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with T 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.
63 Across is CLUERS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with C 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.
65 Across is BLOOPHIT, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with B and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
66 Across is DAB, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with D and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
68 Across is IMPIETY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
70 Across is LOS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 16. It begins with L and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
71 Across is CAMPSITE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with C and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
75 Across is SAYSME, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 10. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
77 Across is TILES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
81 Across is AROUSES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with A 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.
82 Across is NOR, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with N and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Across is TOSS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
85 Across is CAST, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 18. It begins with C and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
86 Across is PINT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
87 Across is RAYON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
89 Across is LOUPE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with L and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
90 Across is OTTO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with O and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
91 Across is EST, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
92 Across is SCROD, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
93 Across is KEPTITCLEAN, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with K and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
95 Across is RESTLESS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
97 Across is BYSSHE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with B and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
98 Across is HASTE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 17. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Across is ERA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 3. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
100 Across is HEELS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 8. 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.
102 Across is DDE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 15. It begins with D and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
104 Across is TED, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
105 Across is SPRITSAILS, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
109 Across is ELL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with E and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
112 Across is EMT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 16. It begins with E and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
114 Across is TERMITE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
115 Across is CARNEALPIATTO, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with C and ends with O, with 6 vowels among its 13 letters.
121 Across is EDASNER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
122 Across is IFI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 9. It begins with I and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
123 Across is THATSMEAN, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 13. It begins with T and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
124 Across is WIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with W and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
125 Across is GTO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 5. It begins with G and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
126 Across is DEM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 9. It begins with D and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
127 Across is ORCHESTRA, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 13. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
Down
1 Down is MCS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with M and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
2 Down is ALI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
3 Down is RED, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with R and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
4 Down is MANS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Down is AREAMAP, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with A and ends with P, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
6 Down is LAYLA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
7 Down is ASP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with A and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
8 Down is DIOR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with D and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
9 Down is ELIO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
10 Down is ARI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
11 Down is NEESON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with N and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
12 Down is TARPS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
13 Down is LISI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with L and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Down is ETAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
15 Down is SCREWON, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
16 Down is FILETOFISH, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with F and ends with H, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
17 Down is LEER, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with L and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Down is OREO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Down is HAZEL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with H and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
24 Down is TIGERS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 10. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
29 Down is RETAG, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 14. It begins with R and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
30 Down is ALBEIT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
31 Down is THELMA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 2. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
32 Down is VASSAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 3. It begins with V and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
34 Down is TACTIC, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with T and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
36 Down is ORE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
39 Down is STAYEDPUT, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with S and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
41 Down is STEELIE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
42 Down is TUMTUM, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with T and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
44 Down is ONEAL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with O and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Down is PISTOL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 16. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Down is GOTTI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with G and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
47 Down is YEAST, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with Y and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
49 Down is ISP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with I and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
50 Down is RAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
54 Down is CASEY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with C and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Down is PEPSICOLA, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 18. It begins with P and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
58 Down is FRIAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with F and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Down is TOOT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 17. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
62 Down is SASS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
64 Down is EPSON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Down is BYMOUTH, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with B and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
67 Down is BIERCE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
69 Down is TSTOPS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
71 Down is CAPER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with C and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
72 Down is ARISE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
73 Down is MONTSERRAT, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with M and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters.
74 Down is TSARS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
76 Down is ESPIED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with E and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
78 Down is LATEST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 19. It begins with L and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
79 Down is ESTATE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 20. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
80 Down is STONED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 21. It begins with S and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
82 Down is NOD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with N and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
84 Down is SET, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
88 Down is YOSHI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 8. It begins with Y and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
89 Down is LESSEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
92 Down is SLATING, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with S and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
93 Down is KYL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 11. It begins with K and ends with L, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
94 Down is CHEMISE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 17. It begins with C and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
96 Down is TRIMS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 4. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
97 Down is BESAFE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
101 Down is ELCID, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 9. It begins with E and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
103 Down is DEPTH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 16. It begins with D and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
105 Down is STEW, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with S and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
106 Down is PEDI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 2. It begins with P and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
107 Down is STET, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 6. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
108 Down is AERO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
110 Down is LETO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
111 Down is LAHR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 14. It begins with L and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
113 Down is TAMS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 18. 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.
116 Down is RIM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with R and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
117 Down is LAC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 15. It begins with L and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
118 Down is TET, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 19. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
119 Down is TAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 20. It begins with T and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
120 Down is ONA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 21. It begins with O and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 69 Across and 75 Down entries, with 68 black squares and 27 circled squares that carry the theme. 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.