WSJ Crossword September 18, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for September 18, 2026, “Guest Workers,” is a Friday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 138 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 TRENCHANTCOAT 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 OVULE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Across is GLOATER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with G and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
13 Across is COHABIT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with C and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
20 Across is NONET, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with N and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
21 Across is REPROVE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with R and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
22 Across is AGESAGO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 15. It begins with A and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
23 Across is TRENCHANTCOAT, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with T and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
25 Across is TRASHED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 15. It begins with T and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
26 Across is ITA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
27 Across is HEDGES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with H 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 ASKED, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 13. It begins with A and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
30 Across is ATA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 19. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
31 Across is MESS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
33 Across is MILD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with M and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
34 Across is HAITI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with H and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
36 Across is EMIT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
37 Across is EXEC, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with E and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
38 Across is SEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 6. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
39 Across is PENNANTSTATE, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with P and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
42 Across is REIN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Across is BURNER, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with B and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
45 Across is RAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 16. It begins with R and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
46 Across is PAGEANTNUMBER, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with P and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
50 Across is VANUATU, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with V and ends with U, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
54 Across is RILES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Across is UMP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with U and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
56 Across is SOLD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
57 Across is DIN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 19. It begins with D and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
58 Across is ELECT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Across is PARIS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with P 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.
61 Across is SPLAY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
62 Across is JED, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 19. It begins with J and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
63 Across is LEAH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with L and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
64 Across is TENANTSPOTS, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with T and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
66 Across is SOAR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
67 Across is URN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with U and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
68 Across is NAACP, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with N and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
69 Across is PARKA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Across is ACUTE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
71 Across is DOE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
72 Across is OGLE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 5. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
73 Across is BEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with B and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
74 Across is CHRIS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with C and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
75 Across is ENDORSE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
77 Across is GALLANTSTONES, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with G 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.
82 Across is HMO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 4. It begins with H and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Across is COPIED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with C and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
84 Across is OHIO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with O and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
85 Across is DORMANTROOMS, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
89 Across is DEI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with D and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
90 Across is LOWS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 18. It begins with L 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.
94 Across is OTOS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
95 Across is HEDDA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 7. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
96 Across is CATE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
97 Across is SLIP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with S and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
98 Across is IOU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with I and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 3 letters.
99 Across is CROWE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Across is ORIOLE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with O and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
103 Across is IDO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with I and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
104 Across is NOTFAIR, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with N and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
106 Across is ADAMANTDRIVER, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with A and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
110 Across is GLEASON, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with G and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
111 Across is TAPINTO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 9. It begins with T and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
112 Across is ALIST, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
113 Across is SESTETS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S 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.
114 Across is SHUTEYE, 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.
115 Across is SLATY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
Down
1 Down is ONTIME, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is VORTEX, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with V and ends with X, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is UNEASE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with U and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
4 Down is LEN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with L and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
5 Down is ETCH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with E and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
6 Down is GRADIENT, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with G and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
7 Down is LENGLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
8 Down is OPTED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with O and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is ARCS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
10 Down is TOO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
11 Down is EVA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
12 Down is RETAINER, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with R and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
13 Down is CATKIN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with C and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
14 Down is OGRE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
15 Down is HEAD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with H and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
16 Down is ASS, 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.
17 Down is BAHAMA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with B and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
18 Down is IGETIT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with I and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
19 Down is TODATE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
24 Down is HEMSIN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with H and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
29 Down is STAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 14. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
32 Down is SCREECH, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with S and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
34 Down is HERB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with H and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
35 Down is ANNE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
36 Down is ETTU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with E and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Down is PUMPIN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with P and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
40 Down is TRALAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 16. 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.
41 Down is SANDY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 17. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
43 Down is EAST, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 5. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Down is BUMRAP, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with B and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Down is PRELUDE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
47 Down is AILERON, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with A and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
48 Down is GLEANED, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with G and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
49 Down is NUANCE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
50 Down is VOLTA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with V and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
51 Down is ADJOURN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
52 Down is TIEATIE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 20. It begins with T and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 7 letters.
53 Down is UNDRESS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 21. It begins with U and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
56 Down is SPOKEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
59 Down is PEALE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Down is STP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with S and ends with P, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
61 Down is SPREAD, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with S and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
64 Down is TAGSON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
65 Down is SABLES, a 6-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 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
66 Down is SCHOOLS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
68 Down is NORMA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Down is ACTI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
76 Down is OHMS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 4. It begins with O 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.
77 Down is GOODEATS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with G and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
78 Down is APOD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with A and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
79 Down is LIMA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
80 Down is TOETOTOE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with T and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 8 letters.
81 Down is SHIELD, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 16. It begins with S and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
83 Down is CREW, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with C and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
85 Down is DOINGS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
86 Down is OTOOLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 2. It begins with O and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
87 Down is ROUTES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 3. It begins with R 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.
88 Down is THORNS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
89 Down is DAINTY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with D and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
91 Down is OLIVIA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 19. It begins with O and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
92 Down is WIDEST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 20. It begins with W and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
93 Down is SPORTY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 21. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
96 Down is CRANE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Down is CASE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
100 Down is RIOT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 6. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
101 Down is OMIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with O and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
102 Down is ERAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
105 Down is FAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 4. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
107 Down is DAH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 10. It begins with D and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
108 Down is APU, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with A and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
109 Down is ILL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 18. It begins with I and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 67 Across and 71 Down entries, with 68 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.