WSJ Crossword October 23, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for October 23, 2026, “In and Out,” is a Friday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 134 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 INCENSESCENTS 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 STUPOR, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Across is ALOOF, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with F, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
12 Across is SWIATEK, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with S and ends with K, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
19 Across is PIRACY, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with P and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
20 Across is WALDO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 8. It begins with W and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
21 Across is SWANDIVE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 14. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
22 Across is INSIDERCIDER, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with I and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
24 Across is HANGSTEN, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 14. It begins with H and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
25 Across is TOUR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
26 Across is EMT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 7. It begins with E and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
27 Across is STRANGE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 11. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
29 Across is INK, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 19. It begins with I and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
30 Across is URL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with U and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
31 Across is ALLOY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
33 Across is ANISE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
34 Across is EPEE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
35 Across is PEABRAIN, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with P and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
37 Across is INTERNTURN, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with I and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
40 Across is ANNS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
41 Across is ASSTDA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
44 Across is ION, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 16. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
45 Across is INSIGHTSITE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
48 Across is ISLANDS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with I and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
52 Across is AMUSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
53 Across is APGAR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Across is SWEE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
55 Across is URU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 19. It begins with U and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
56 Across is TARO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
57 Across is SILENT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with S and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
59 Across is ICONS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with I and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Across is COB, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 19. It begins with C and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
61 Across is OWE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
62 Across is INCENSESCENTS, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with I and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
64 Across is LOB, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with L and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
65 Across is NAY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with N and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
66 Across is NEINS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. 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.
67 Across is LEANTO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with L and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
68 Across is CEDE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
69 Across is ERE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
70 Across is FELT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 5. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
71 Across is FIERI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with F and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
72 Across is CHILD, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with C and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
73 Across is REVELRY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
75 Across is INDUCEDEUCE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with I and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
78 Across is DUE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 4. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
79 Across is STRESS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
81 Across is VOLT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with V and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
82 Across is INDEXDECKS, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with I and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
86 Across is RESTEASY, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
90 Across is NOON, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with N and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
91 Across is TROTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, 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.
93 Across is PARES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with P and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
94 Across is MAE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
95 Across is LOT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with L and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
96 Across is BLUESKY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with B and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
98 Across is AMS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
99 Across is FAVA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 18. It begins with F and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
100 Across is ADELAIDE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 8 letters.
102 Across is INCISORSIZER, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 10. It begins with I and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
106 Across is ILLTIMED, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
107 Across is SCONE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 10. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
108 Across is ENJOIN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 16. It begins with E and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
109 Across is DELETES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
110 Across is SHOTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 10. 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.
111 Across is POINTS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 16. It begins with P and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
Down
1 Down is SPITUP, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is TINORE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is URSULA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with U and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
4 Down is PAIR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with P and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
5 Down is OCD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with O and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
6 Down is RYE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with R and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
7 Down is AWCMON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
8 Down is LAITY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with L and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is OLD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with O and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
10 Down is ODESA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is FORTNITER, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with F and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
12 Down is SWANEE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
13 Down is WANG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with W and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
14 Down is INGE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
15 Down is ADS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
16 Down is TITIPU, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with T and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
17 Down is EVENER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
18 Down is KENKEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with K and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
21 Down is SHASTA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 14. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
23 Down is RELISH, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 7. It begins with R and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
28 Down is RIND, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 13. It begins with R and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
31 Down is ARNIE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
32 Down is LANG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with L and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
34 Down is ETNA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
36 Down is BASSO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with B and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Down is RISENTO, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 16. It begins with R and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
39 Down is NOLESS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 17. It begins with N 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.
41 Down is ASPENS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
42 Down is SIGNS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
43 Down is STATELINE, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
45 Down is IMAWARE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
46 Down is NUREYEV, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with N and ends with V, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
47 Down is TALENT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Down is IWONT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
49 Down is NUCLEIC, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with N and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
50 Down is DROODLE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 20. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
51 Down is SUBBED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 21. It begins with S and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
52 Down is ATONER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
54 Down is SCENIC, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with S and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
57 Down is SNEERED, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with S and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
58 Down is ICILY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Down is ICARUS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with I and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
62 Down is INFLUX, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with I and ends with X, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
63 Down is SEEDS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Down is CHUTE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
71 Down is FIRSTKISS, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with F and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters.
72 Down is CELTS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, 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.
74 Down is EDEN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 4. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
76 Down is EVERSO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
77 Down is DOSE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 16. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
79 Down is SCREED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with S and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
80 Down is TKOS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 9. 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.
82 Down is INLAID, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
83 Down is NOODLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 2. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
84 Down is DOTELL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 3. It begins with D and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
85 Down is ETUDES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with E 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.
86 Down is RAMSES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with R 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.
87 Down is AMAZON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 19. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
88 Down is SAVEIT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 20. It begins with S and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
89 Down is YEARNS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 21. It begins with Y 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.
92 Down is SYNCH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with S and ends with H, with 0 vowels among its 5 letters.
93 Down is PAINT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with P and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
96 Down is BAIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
97 Down is LIME, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 6. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
99 Down is FIJI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 18. It begins with F and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
101 Down is LTE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 4. It begins with L and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
103 Down is COO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 12. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
104 Down is REP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 16. It begins with R and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
105 Down is SNO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 17. It begins with S and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 65 Across and 69 Down entries, with 72 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.