WSJ Crossword September 11, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for September 11, 2026, “Go-Betweens,” is a Friday puzzle by David Alfred Bywaters 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 FARGOREACHING 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 ASSES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, 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.
6 Across is SENSORS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
13 Across is WARPATH, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with W and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
20 Across is WHORL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with W and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
21 Across is TRACHEA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with T and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
22 Across is AMNESIA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
23 Across is FARGOREACHING, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with F and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
25 Across is ROARSAT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 15. It begins with R and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
26 Across is UPTOPAR, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with U and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
27 Across is RIOTACT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 9. It begins with R and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
29 Across is MOSS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 18. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
30 Across is LEST, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with L and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
31 Across is HOSES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 6. 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.
33 Across is SAHARAN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with S and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
36 Across is BRIT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with B and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
37 Across is MMI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with M and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
40 Across is RODE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
41 Across is APE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
44 Across is EGOREADER, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with E and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
49 Across is ASIAGOMINOR, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with A and ends with R, with 6 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
52 Across is RELISH, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with R and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
53 Across is EVIDENT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with E and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
55 Across is RANCOR, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with R and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
56 Across is UNITE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with U and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
57 Across is SPIN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with S and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
58 Across is EDS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
59 Across is INTERS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 16. It begins with I and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
60 Across is CIVET, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with C and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Across is TENTH, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with T and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
63 Across is ANDS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 15. It begins with A 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.
64 Across is TEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
65 Across is MANGOEATING, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with M and ends with G, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
69 Across is GAS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with G and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
72 Across is PIER, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 4. It begins with P and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
74 Across is SLANT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
75 Across is ADORN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
77 Across is REBIND, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
80 Across is DAW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 8. It begins with D and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Across is FUSE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with F and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
84 Across is FRODO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with F and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
85 Across is ORANGE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
86 Across is ADAMANT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 8. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
88 Across is ERASER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 16. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
89 Across is BONGOVOYAGE, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with B and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
91 Across is TANGOGENT, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with T and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
93 Across is TSK, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with T and ends with K, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
94 Across is TARO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
95 Across is ENV, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with E and ends with V, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
97 Across is TUGS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 14. 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.
98 Across is NASCENT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 3. It begins with N and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
101 Across is USERS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 12. It begins with U and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
103 Across is ARMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with A 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 Across is GLOW, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with G and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
109 Across is SEASALT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with S and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
112 Across is TOESHOE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 15. It begins with T and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
114 Across is RATATAT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with R and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
117 Across is CONGOJUNCTION, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with C and ends with N, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
119 Across is UTERINE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with U and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
120 Across is KAYAKER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 9. It begins with K and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
121 Across is HONED, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with H and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
122 Across is BISECTS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
123 Across is SPAREME, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 9. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
124 Across is OPEDS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
Down
1 Down is AWFUL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
2 Down is SHAPE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
3 Down is SORTS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
4 Down is ERGOT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
5 Down is SLOP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with S and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
6 Down is STEROID, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
7 Down is ERA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
8 Down is NACRE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is SCHISM, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with S and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
10 Down is OHIO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
11 Down is RENT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
12 Down is SAGAS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with S 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.
13 Down is WARTHOG, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with W and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
14 Down is AMO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
15 Down is RNA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with R and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
16 Down is PERMA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
17 Down is ASSONANCE, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
18 Down is TIAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with T 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.
19 Down is HATS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with H and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
24 Down is RAHRAH, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with R and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
28 Down is CARATS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 14. 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.
32 Down is STEEPEN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 8. It begins with S and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
34 Down is ADORING, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with A and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
35 Down is REMAND, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 17. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
36 Down is BESET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Down is MAD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with M and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
39 Down is ISEE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
42 Down is POOR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with P and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Down is ERRS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
44 Down is ERUCT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Down is GENIE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 2. It begins with G and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
46 Down is OLIVE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 3. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
47 Down is RITE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
48 Down is RVING, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with R and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
50 Down is IND, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with I and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
51 Down is INTS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with I 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.
54 Down is INTO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with I and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
57 Down is STAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
62 Down is HES, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with H and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
63 Down is ANTE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 15. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
65 Down is MEDEVAC, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with M and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
66 Down is ALFA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
67 Down is TAUNT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Down is INSTATE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 14. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
69 Down is GOOSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with G and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Down is ARDEN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 20. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
71 Down is SNORT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 21. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
72 Down is PING, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 4. It begins with P and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
73 Down is INGOTS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with I 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.
75 Down is AFROS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 17. 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.
76 Down is DRAG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with D and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
77 Down is ROBT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
78 Down is EROS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 2. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
79 Down is BANKNOTES, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 3. It begins with B and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
80 Down is DAYONE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 8. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
81 Down is ADA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
82 Down is WAGE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with W and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
87 Down is MEN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with M and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
88 Down is EGGSON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 16. It begins with E and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
90 Down is ORESTES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with O and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
92 Down is NURTURE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
96 Down is VULGAR, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with V and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
99 Down is AWARE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Down is TACKS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 9. 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.
102 Down is STOKE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
103 Down is ASTOP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
104 Down is RHINE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
105 Down is MOOED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 20. It begins with M and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
106 Down is SENDS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 21. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
107 Down is GRUB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with G and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
108 Down is LATI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 2. It begins with L and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
110 Down is SOAP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 10. It begins with S and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
111 Down is ANYA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
113 Down is ECHO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
115 Down is TIC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 5. It begins with T and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
116 Down is ANT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 6. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
118 Down is JEM, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 14. It begins with J and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 63 Across and 77 Down entries, with 70 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.