WSJ Crossword October 30, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for October 30, 2026, “Finding the Sweet Spot,” is a Friday puzzle by Joseph Gangi 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 FRESHFACE at 9 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 ANACONDA, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
9 Across is ARMFUL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
15 Across is FALA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with F and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
19 Across is GETAROOM, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with G and ends with M, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
20 Across is NEARME, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 10. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
21 Across is ELLEN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 17. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
22 Across is AMARETTO, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with A and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
23 Across is DINEAT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 10. It begins with D and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
24 Across is MELON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with M and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
25 Across is SEL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
26 Across is SARGES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 8. 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.
28 Across is SOMEONE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 15. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
30 Across is PALOMAS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with P and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
35 Across is WONTHEDAY, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with W and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
37 Across is NAPPIES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with N and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
39 Across is FAIRSHARE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with F and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
44 Across is CHUTNEYS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
47 Across is CEASES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. 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.
49 Across is ELAN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
50 Across is LOLA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Across is BALANCE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
54 Across is TIETO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 17. It begins with T and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Across is ANTSY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
57 Across is INCENSED, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
58 Across is VERSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 16. It begins with V and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Across is WORKERS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with W and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
61 Across is LODE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
62 Across is OMENS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. 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.
64 Across is SRA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
65 Across is GALE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with G and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
67 Across is NYM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with N and ends with M, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
68 Across is NATE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 14. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
69 Across is JAM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with J and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
72 Across is HOPES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 4. 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.
73 Across is ABBA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 10. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Across is NOTDONE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
77 Across is PRODS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 2. It begins with P and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
79 Across is PARALLAX, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 8. It begins with P and ends with X, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
82 Across is SINGE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
83 Across is ALUMS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with A 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.
84 Across is ADDRESS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 8. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
85 Across is SALT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
86 Across is MANI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with M and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
87 Across is MARCOS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 6. It begins with M and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
89 Across is SWATCHES, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
93 Across is ENTERINTO, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with E and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
95 Across is MATHIEU, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with M and ends with U, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
97 Across is UNDOUBTED, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 5. It begins with U and ends with D, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
100 Across is ADASTRA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 15. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
104 Across is ALIASES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, 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.
108 Across is NOONES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 9. It begins with N and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
110 Across is BOT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with B and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
111 Across is TINCT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
112 Across is UNCART, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 7. It begins with U and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
114 Across is NAKATOMI, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 14. It begins with N and ends with I, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
119 Across is ONKEY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with O and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
120 Across is CRISTO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 7. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
121 Across is ORIGINAL, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 14. It begins with O and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
122 Across is NESS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with N and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
123 Across is HALTER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 7. It begins with H and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
124 Across is TENEMENT, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 14. It begins with T and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
Down
1 Down is AGASP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
2 Down is NEMEA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with N and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
3 Down is ATALL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
4 Down is CAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with C and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
5 Down is ORE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
6 Down is NOT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
7 Down is DOT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with D and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
8 Down is AMOS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
9 Down is ANDROS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
10 Down is REIGN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is MANET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with M and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
12 Down is FRESHFACE, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with F and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
13 Down is UMA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with U and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
14 Down is LETSDIE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with L 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.
15 Down is FLEE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with F and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
16 Down is ALLO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
17 Down is LEON, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Down is ANNE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
21 Down is EMMYS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 17. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
27 Down is AWE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 9. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
29 Down is OARS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 16. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
31 Down is ONTASK, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with O and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
32 Down is MAN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with M and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
33 Down is APE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
34 Down is SPY, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
36 Down is EASEDON, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 14. It begins with E and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
38 Down is ISBN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with I and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
40 Down is HEIRS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with H and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Down is ALES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
42 Down is RATE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Down is ENO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
44 Down is CLAWS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, 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.
45 Down is HONOR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 2. It begins with H and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
46 Down is ULTRA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 3. It begins with U and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
47 Down is CANDYBARS, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters.
48 Down is ENSEMBLE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
52 Down is ACL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with A and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
53 Down is LEONARDO, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with L and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
54 Down is TENETS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 17. It begins with T 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.
56 Down is YEGODS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
57 Down is ISLE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
58 Down is VETO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 16. It begins with V and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
60 Down is RAPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with R 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.
63 Down is MANX, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 15. It begins with M and ends with X, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
66 Down is ESPARTO, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
69 Down is JONAH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with J and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Down is ANGLE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 20. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
71 Down is MEETS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 21. 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.
72 Down is HOMIE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 4. It begins with H and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
74 Down is ALS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
76 Down is DISCUS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with D and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
77 Down is PLAN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 2. It begins with P and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
78 Down is RUNT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 3. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
80 Down is ADCOUNCIL, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with A and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
81 Down is ASST, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 14. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
83 Down is AME, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
87 Down is MINE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 6. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
88 Down is ANDSUCH, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with A and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
90 Down is WHA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with W and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
91 Down is AID, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 16. It begins with A and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
92 Down is TEA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 17. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
94 Down is RUSTY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
95 Down is MENTOR, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with M and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
96 Down is ADE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
98 Down is BOAST, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 10. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Down is TORTE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Down is TBONE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
102 Down is ROMAN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 20. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
103 Down is ATILT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 21. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
104 Down is ATON, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
105 Down is LINE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 2. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
106 Down is INKS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with I and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
107 Down is ACES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 4. It begins with A 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.
109 Down is SNOT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 14. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
113 Down is NRA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 8. It begins with N and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
115 Down is ARE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 15. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
116 Down is KIN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 16. It begins with K and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
117 Down is AGE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 17. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
118 Down is TIM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 18. It begins with T and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 61 Across and 79 Down entries, with 80 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.