WSJ Crossword September 30, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for September 30, 2026, “Classical Symmetry,” is a Wednesday puzzle by Kathleen Diamantakis & Jeff Chen with 75 clues on a 15×15 grid. Wednesday grids sit in the middle of the week’s difficulty curve: the fill is mostly familiar, but the theme asks for a little lateral thinking. The longest entry is SHADESCREEN at 11 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 MATH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with M and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
5 Across is ARGON, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Across is DJED, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with D and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
14 Across is IMHO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with I and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
15 Across is SALMA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 6. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
16 Across is RUSE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
17 Across is DEEP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with D and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Across is TREAT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
19 Across is UNPC, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 12. It begins with U and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
20 Across is RRS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 2. It begins with R and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
21 Across is HENRI, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 6. It begins with H and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
22 Across is GOL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with G and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
23 Across is CIA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with C and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
24 Across is SMS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with S and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
25 Across is SVP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with S and ends with P, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
27 Across is TAR, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with T and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
29 Across is ACC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with A and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
30 Across is HAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with H and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
31 Across is HEL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with H and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
32 Across is DNA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with D and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
33 Across is BAHIA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with B and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
35 Across is ANA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
37 Across is URIAH, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with U and ends with H, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
39 Across is ONEND, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with O and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
40 Across is MAR, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with M and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
41 Across is TOADS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 11. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
42 Across is OLDE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 2. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Across is PHI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with P and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
44 Across is OOZE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
45 Across is ISMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 4. 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.
47 Across is FACT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
49 Across is GRACE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with G and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
51 Across is WRYER, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with W and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
54 Across is IRE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
55 Across is RDS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 5. It begins with R and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
57 Across is ADA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
58 Across is TOW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with T and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
60 Across is REBREAK, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with R and ends with K, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
62 Across is SATSUMA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with S and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
64 Across is ACUTELY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
65 Across is TRIEDAT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with T and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
66 Across is NOSENSE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
67 Across is ANCIENT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with A and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
Down
1 Down is MID, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with M and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
2 Down is AMERICANO, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with A and ends with O, with 5 vowels among its 9 letters.
3 Down is THERACHEL, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with T and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
4 Down is HOPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with H and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
5 Down is ASTHMA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
6 Down is RARESTAMPS, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with R and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters.
7 Down is GLEN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with G and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
8 Down is OMARSHARIF, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with O and ends with F, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters.
9 Down is NATIVE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
10 Down is DRUG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with D and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
11 Down is JUNOTDIAZ, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with J and ends with Z, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
12 Down is ESPLANADE, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
13 Down is DEC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with D and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
23 Down is CABO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
24 Down is SHADESCREEN, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with S and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
26 Down is PLUTOCRATIC, a 11-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with P and ends with C, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
28 Down is RAHS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 15. 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.
34 Down is INDIA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
36 Down is NAH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with N and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
38 Down is ROOTY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
46 Down is MEDALS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with M and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Down is AWDARN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
49 Down is GRECO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 2. It begins with G and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
50 Down is REBUS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 3. It begins with R 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.
52 Down is ETUDE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
53 Down is ROMAN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 14. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Down is IRAN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
56 Down is SKYE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with S and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
57 Down is ASTA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
59 Down is WATT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with W and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
61 Down is RTE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 4. It begins with R and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
63 Down is SEI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with S and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Wednesday grid contains 43 Across and 32 Down entries, with 42 black squares and 36 circled squares that carry the theme. Wednesday grids sit in the middle of the week’s difficulty curve: the fill is mostly familiar, but the theme asks for a little lateral thinking.
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.