WSJ Crossword Answers Today – March 5, 2026
WSJ Crossword Answers Today – March 5, 2026
Table of Contents
- Today’s WSJ Crossword Overview
- 🧠 Grid Strategy & Intersection Analysis
- 📖 Theme Breakdown & Crosswordese
- ✅ Today’s Top Answers (Top 20 Only)
- Frequently Asked Questions
Today’s WSJ Crossword Overview
Today’s WSJ Crossword, titled “AWOL,” presents a clever wordplay theme. Solvers will find a medium-difficulty grid with a satisfying “drop-off” mechanic. The puzzle offers a good mix of common knowledge and thematic challenges.
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🧠 Grid Strategy & Intersection Analysis
Breaking into today’s grid is straightforward, thanks to several accessible entries. Start with shorter, unambiguous clues to build momentum.
Initial Entry Points: Look for clues like 5-Across ‘2022 Jordan Peele sci-fi horror film’ (NOPE) or 15-Across ‘To the moon and back’ (ALOT). These provide quick footholds.
Proper Nouns: Names like 9-Across ‘“Succession” star Cox’ (BRIAN) and 65-Across ‘Morales of “La Bamba”’ (ESAI) are often reliable. Fill these in early to open up surrounding areas.
Short Fillers: Common three-letter words such as 20-Across ‘Free round’ (BYE) or 21-Across ‘Lines that go over your head’ (ELS) are excellent for connecting sections.
Leveraging the Theme: Once you identify the theme at 57-Across, it will significantly aid in solving the longer thematic answers. Focus on getting enough crosses to reveal parts of these lengthy entries.
📖 Theme Breakdown & Crosswordese
The central theme for today’s WSJ Crossword is revealed at 57-Across: “Vanishes without a trace, and a hint to the answers to 17-, 23-, 39- and 49-Across” which is **DROPSOFFTHEGRID**.
This theme cleverly indicates that the last letter of the long thematic answers has been “dropped off” or removed.
17-Across: “Whoa, let’s not get awkward!” becomes ON T MAKE THIS WEIR (originally WEIR**D**).
23-Across: “Joplin or Jagger, e.g.” becomes OCK AND ROLL SINGE (originally SINGE**R**).
39-Across: “Jazz group fronted by ‘The King of Inside Swing'” becomes SCAR PETERSON TRI (originally TRI**O**).
49-Across: “Kicking back and chillaxing” becomes UTTING ONES FEET U (originally U**P**).
Common crosswordese appearing today includes AAMCO (16-Across), ELS (21-Across), IRA (32-Across), and TIA (45-Across). These are frequent crossword answers that experienced solvers will recognize quickly.
✅ Today’s Top Answers (Top 20 Only)
| Clue Number | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Across Clues | ||
| 1 | Flex | BRAG |
| 5 | 2022 Jordan Peele sci-fi horror film | NOPE |
| 9 | “Succession” star Cox | BRIAN |
| 14 | A bit naughty | RACY |
| 17 | “Whoa, let’s not get awkward!” | ONTMAKETHISWEIR |
| 23 | Joplin or Jagger, e.g. | OCKANDROLLSINGE |
| 39 | Jazz group fronted by “The King of Inside Swing” | SCARPETERSONTRI |
| 49 | Kicking back and chillaxing | UTTINGONESFEETU |
| 57 | Vanishes without a trace, and a hint to the answers to 17-, 23-, 39- and 49-Across | DROPSOFFTHEGRID |
| 64 | Moscow setting | IDAHO |
| Down Clues | ||
| 1 | Frat address | BRO |
| 2 | Showed cowardice, perhaps | ODIST |
| 3 | Opera division | UNDID |
| 4 | Spot for a water bottle and sweatband | RAN |
| 5 | Obvious untruth | CIRCE |
| 6 | Flamenco cry | TARDE |
| 7 | Joint stock? | ACT |
| 8 | Lucy’s pal | KNAAN |
| 10 | Unedited | GYMBAG |
| 18 | Writer Rand | SPRINGSON |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the theme of the March 5, 2026 WSJ Crossword?
The theme is ‘DROPS OFF THE GRID,’ where the last letter of four long Across answers is removed. This creates a playful twist on common phrases.
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How can I improve my WSJ Crossword solving speed?
Practice regularly and familiarize yourself with common crosswordese and recurring clue types. Starting with shorter, more direct clues can also help you gain momentum quickly.
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Are WSJ Crosswords generally difficult?
WSJ Crosswords typically range from medium to challenging, often featuring clever wordplay and sophisticated themes. They are known for their consistent quality and engaging puzzles.