Today’s The Wall Street Journal Crossword Puzzle Clues and Answers (April 17, 2024)
by Ashnath | Updated Apr 17, 2024
The Wall Street Journal Crossword Solutions
Are you ready to solve a challenging crossword puzzle? Try today's crossword from The Wall Street Journal. Solving this crossword is a fun way to test your knowledge. It helps you improve your vocabulary and spelling. It can be so relaxing and gives you a break from your busy day. You will get a sense of accomplishment after tackling the puzzle.
Whether you are new to solving a crossword or an expert, there is always something new to learn with each puzzle you solve. Today’s crossword clues are diverse from straightforward definitions to puns and playful wordplay. Some clues can be simple while others are tough to solve. You can find all the answers to the clues here. You can use them to complete the entire crossword.
More Than a Critic
Answer: HATER
A critic typically offers feedback, which might be positive or negative. They usually criticize someone or something based on some form of assessment or analysis. A "hater," on the other hand, is a person who dislikes something or someone intensely and sometimes they do some negative things. The word "hater" goes beyond just being a critic.
“So That’s Your Scheme!”
Answer: OHO
“Oho” is an interjection. It is used to express surprise, triumph, or the discovery of something. It reflects the moment of realization or understanding of someone's intentions. This word can also be used in the sense of mockery.
Item in a Computer, Casino or Cookie
Answer: CHIP
The word "chip" has multiple meanings. In a computer, a chip refers to an integrated circuit. In a casino, chips are small discs used as currency for betting. In the context of a cookie, chips most commonly refer to chocolate chips, which are small pieces of chocolate used as an ingredient.
Like Bono and Enya
Answer: IRISH
Both Bono, the lead singer of U2, and Enya, a solo artist, are from Ireland. So, Irish is their nationality. The term "Irish" denotes anything related to Ireland, including its culture, food, music, people, or nationality.
Incentive
Answer: SPUR
A spur is something that motivates or encourages someone to take action. This conveys a similar meaning as an “incentive” that encourages people toward achieving goals or undertaking tasks.
Page of Postage Stamps
Answer: PANE
A pane is a specific section or sheet of postage stamps. Typically, a pane contains multiple stamps. When you think of a "page" of stamps, “pane” is the correct term for it.
On Edge
Answer: JUMPY
The term "jumpy" describes someone who is nervous, typically reacting quickly. It is a state of increased anxiety. This word is often used to depict someone's behavior when they are feeling tense, possibly due to stress or fear. The phrase “on edge" also denotes someone being nervous.
“The Amazing Spider-Man” Director Marc Catches Waves?
Answer: WEBBSURFS
This clue is a playful combination of the name of Marc Webb, the director of "The Amazing Spider-Man," and the activity of surfing waves. It merges his last name "Webb," with the popular water sport surfing, leading to the answer "Webb surfs."
Penny Prez
Answer: ABE
"Abe" refers to Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, who is famously depicted on the U.S. one-cent coin. A one-cent coin is commonly known as the penny.
Passage
Answer: TRANSIT
The word "transit" refers to the act of moving things or transporting a person from one place to another. This term broadly denotes the concept of passage as it involves a journey or movement.
Function Akin to Sin and Cos
Answer: SEC
"Sec" refers to the secant function, a basic trigonometric function like sine (sin) and cosine (cos). In trigonometry, secant is the reciprocal of the cosine function. Trigonometric functions are used to relate the angles and sides of right triangles.
Comic Roseanne Plays Leapfrog?
Answer: BARRHOPS
This clue uses a play on words involving the name of an American comedian Roseanne Barr and the action involved in the game, leapfrog. The answer "Barrhops" combines her last name "Barr" with "hops."
Rosh Hashanah’s Month
Answer: TISHRI
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Tishri is the name of the month in the Hebrew calendar during which Rosh Hashanah occurs. This month typically falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar.
Defib Pro
Answer: EMT
EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician, a trained professional who responds to emergency situations. During cardiac emergencies, a defibrillator might be needed. The term "Defib Pro" aptly describes an EMT’s role, particularly during cardiac emergencies.
Focus of a Pitching Scout?
Answer: TENT
Here, the term “Pitching” refers to setting up a tent, commonly known as "pitching a tent." During a scout camp, they will set up a tent. So, “tent” is the apt answer for this clue.
Did Well, as an Investment
Answer: GREW
The word "grew" in this context describes how an investment has increased in value or size over time. An investment that "did well" typically means it has expanded, which is aptly described by the term "grew."
Drummer Ringo Uses a Crystal Ball?
Answer: STARRGAZES
This clue combines the name of Ringo Starr, the famous drummer of The Beatles, with the act of stargazing. So the answer is "Starrgazes."
Mushroom Kingdom Plumber
Answer: MARIO
Mario is the iconic video game character from the Super Mario game franchise. He is famously known as the plumber who adventures through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from the villain Bowser.
Put Away
Answer: ATE
The phrase "put away" is a colloquial way of saying to eat something completely. It is often used to describe consuming food, especially in large quantities.
Nose Ring?
Answer: SNORE
Here, the term "ring" refers to a sound, specifically the sound of snoring. The phrase "nose ring" humorously denotes the noise that 'rings' out from the nose when a person snores.
Footballer Lynn Explores the Coral Reef?
Answer: SWANNDIVES
This answer uses the name of Lynn Swann, a renowned former professional American football player, and combines it with "dives," creating the playful answer "Swann dives."
Author ___ Neale Hurston
Answer: ZORA
Zora Neale Hurston was an American author and anthropologist. She is best known for her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Her first name, Zora, completes the crossword clue.
It Might Cause You to Shake
Answer: DEAL
The answer “deal” can be interpreted in the context of a business setting where a handshake often follows the closing of a successful deal. Shaking hands is a customary gesture that symbolizes the agreement.
Simile Snippet
Answer: ASA
In the English language, similes are figures of speech that compare two different things using the words "as" or "like." The phrase "as a" is commonly used in similes, such as in "as busy as a bee."
Millionaire Jay of Fiction
Answer: GATSBY
Jay Gatsby is the central character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby." Gatsby is depicted as a wealthy figure in the novel.
Rocker Joan Hits the Slopes?
Answer: JETTSKIS
In this answer, the name of rock musician Joan Jett and the activity of jet skiing are combined. Joining her last name and sport, we get “Jettskis” as the answer.
Toothpaste Tube Letters
Answer: ADA
The letters "ADA" refer to the American Dental Association. Many toothpaste brands feature the ADA Seal of Acceptance on their packaging.
“Child’s Play!”
Answer: ITSEASY
This phrase is often used to describe something that is very simple to do. "It's easy" is a literal interpretation of the expression "Child's Play," meaning that the task is so simple that even a child could complete it without difficulty.
Modern Suffix With 1-Across
Answer: ADE
The suffix "ade'' is commonly added to words to denote a product or an action. It can be often found in the names of beverages like "lemonade" or situations like "blockade."
Actor Jamie Rides on Horseback?
Answer: FOXXTROTS
This answer combines the name of actor Jamie Foxx with "trots," giving the word “Foxxtrots”. Trots is a term for a light or moderate pace of horse riding.
Frenzied
Answer: MANIC
The term "manic" describes a state of being abnormally energetic or excited, sometimes to the point of losing control. It can denote extreme activity or behavior similar to the word “frenzied.”
Not Occupied
Answer: FREE
Here, the word "free" refers to something that is available or unoccupied, such as a seat or a room.
“Yeah, Right!”
Answer: IBET
"I bet" is a sarcastic response to a statement that the speaker finds unbelievable. It is a colloquial way to express doubt about the truthfulness or likelihood of a situation.
High-Priced Block
Answer: INGOT
An ingot is a large block of metal. Metals like gold, silver, and aluminum are often stored and traded in ingot form. Due to the value of the materials, an ingot is considered to be a "high-priced block."
Concludes
Answer: ENDS
The term “ends” is a direct synonym for the verb "concludes," which means to finish something.
Course Number
Answer: PAR
In golf, "par" is the term used to describe the expected number of strokes that an expert golfer would use to complete a hole or course.
Wax-Coated Cheeses
Answer: EDAMS
Edam cheese, originating from the Netherlands, is traditionally sold in spheres with a red wax coating. This wax helps to preserve the cheese and prevent spoilage.
Scarf That Covers the Hair and Neck
Answer: HIJAB
The hijab is a type of headscarf worn by many Muslim women who choose to cover their hair as part of their faith. It generally covers the hair, neck, and sometimes the shoulders.
Caribbean Cruise Stop
Answer: ARUBA
Aruba is a popular destination for Caribbean cruises. It is known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue waters, and vibrant culture. It is an island in the Caribbean Sea which is a popular tourist attraction.
One With a Second Job?
Answer: TIMER
A "timer" is a device or tool used to measure and record the passage of time, commonly using seconds. This clue refers to the timer's function in measuring seconds.
Medium’s Ability, Briefly
Answer: ESP
ESP stands for Extra-Sensory Perception, which is believed to be an ability possessed by some individuals, including mediums, to acquire information without using the known human senses.
Beat
Answer: RHYTHM
The term "beat" in music refers to the basic unit of time, the pulse of the musical rhythm.
Starts the Bidding
Answer: OPENS
In an auction, "opens" refers to the action of starting the bidding process. The auctioneer or seller "opens" the bidding by announcing the starting price of an item, inviting potential buyers to place their bids.
Network Fixtures
Answer: HUBS
In networking, a hub is a common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are used to connect segments of a LAN and they contain multiple ports.
NASA’s Mars Odyssey, E.g.
Answer: ORBITER
NASA's Mars Odyssey is a spacecraft that orbits Mars. As an "orbiter," it is designed to make revolutions around the planet, for scientific observations and analysing the climate and geology of Mars.
PC Brain
Answer: CPU
The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is often referred to as the brain of a computer because it processes instructions. The CPU performs the fundamental computations and decisions necessary to run programs.
Like Desert Conditions
Answer: HARSH
Deserts are typically characterized by harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, scarce water, and minimal vegetation. These environments are challenging for both humans and wildlife due to the severe heat during the day and cold at night that make survival difficult.
Gather
Answer: INFER
In the context of information or data, "to infer" involves gathering and deducing conclusions from the evidence or details presented.
Joe of “Goodfellas”
Answer: PESCI
Joe Pesci is a well-known actor famous for his role in the movie "Goodfellas." In this movie, he played the character of Tommy DeVito.
Give and Take
Answer: SWAP
The term "swap" directly relates to the act of giving something in order to receive something else in return.
Perils for Apiarists
Answer: STINGS
Apiarists, or beekeepers, face several problems, with bee stings being one of the most common perils. Handling bees and maintaining hives exposes beekeepers to the risk of being stung.
Wastes Away
Answer: ROTS
The term "rots" refers to the process of decay or decomposition, typically involving organic matter. When something rots, it gradually deteriorates, often due to bacterial or fungal action.
Pulls in One’s Line, Say
Answer: REWINDS
In the context of fishing, pulling in one's line could be referred to as rewinding. This action involves reeling in the fishing line, which might involve winding it back.
Lyrical Measures
Answer: STANZAS
In poetry, stanzas are grouped sets of lines within a poem, often marked by a common pattern of meter and rhyme.
Genealogy Depiction
Answer: TREE
A family tree is a diagram representing family relationships in a tree structure, a popular method for depicting genealogy. It visually traces the lineage and relationships of family members.
MLB Bigwigs
Answer: GMS
In Major League Baseball (MLB), "GMs" refers to the general managers of the teams. These individuals are responsible for major decisions about the team.
Rarer Than Rare
Answer: RAW
In culinary terms, "raw" refers to food, especially meat, that is uncooked. "Rare" is a level of minimal cooking, primarily used for meats. Therefore, "raw" is indeed rarer than "rare" in the context of food preparation, indicating a state where no cooking has been applied at all.
Geological Span
Answer: ERA
An era is a significant span of time used for the classification of the Earth’s history. Typically, this term is used to refer to a period of time.
Follow
Answer: TAIL
To "tail" someone is a colloquial way to describe following them closely, often secretly or without their knowledge.
Kawasaki’s Brute Force 300, E.g.
Answer: ATV
The Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is an example of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV).
Where the Wild Things Are
Answer: ZOO
A zoo is a place where wild animals are kept so that people can view them. Zoos are popular tourist attractions.
Screw Up
Answer: ERR
To "err" is a formal way of saying to make a mistake or error. The proverb "to err is human," emphasizes that making mistakes is a natural part of human behavior.
Salty Expanse
Answer: SEA
Seas are large bodies of saltwater, smaller than oceans but significant in size.
The Slightest Amount...of Computer Memory, Say?
Answer: ONEBIT
In computer terms, a "bit" is the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. "One bit" represents the smallest amount of data.
Brief Outing
Answer: DAYTRIP
A day trip is a short journey or excursion where the participants leave home and return on the same day. It is an outing typically undertaken for leisure, exploration, or relaxation without the need for an overnight stay.
Key H.S. Exams
Answer: SATS
The SATs (Scholastic Assessment Tests) are tests widely used for college admissions in the United States. They are critical exams for high school students, assessing their readiness for college-level work in subjects like reading, writing, and mathematics.
Hamper
Answer: STYMIE
To "stymie" means to prevent or hinder the progress of someone or something. It describes creating obstacles that make a task or goal difficult to accomplish, effectively hampering efforts.
Embarrassing Blunder
Answer: GAFFE
A gaffe is a noticeable mistake or blunder, often embarrassing, that is usually made in a social or public setting. It typically results in awkwardness or discomfort among those involved or witnessing it.
Make Ritzy
Answer: ADORN
To "adorn" means to make something more beautiful or attractive by adding decorative elements. Making something ritzy involves enhancing it with elegant or luxurious features.
Like Capital Gains, Typically
Answer: TAXED
Capital gains, which are the profits from a sale, are typically subject to taxation. The tax rates can vary, but generally, capital gains are taxed in many countries.
Yankee Great Derek
Answer: JETER
Derek Jeter is a retired professional baseball player who spent his entire 20-year MLB career with the New York Yankees. He is celebrated as one of the greatest baseball players, known for his performance and his leadership as the team captain.
Compass Point
Answer: EAST
East is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of the west and is perpendicular to the north and south. East is typically associated with the direction from which the sun rises.
Only Female Character in “Winnie-the-Pooh”
Answer: KANGA
Kanga is the only female character in the children's series "Winnie-the-Pooh." She is a kangaroo and a caring mother to her son Roo.
“Once in a Blue Moon,” E.g.
Answer: IDIOM
"Once in a blue moon" is an idiom that describes an event that happens very infrequently.
Religious Offshoots
Answer: SECTS
Sects are subgroups within a larger religious group that have distinct beliefs or practices which set them apart from the main group. They often arise from disputes or differing interpretations of doctrine, leading to a formal split and the formation of a new entity within the religion.
Noodles Made From Buckwheat Flour
Answer: SOBA
Soba noodles are a type of Japanese noodle made primarily from buckwheat flour. They are a popular dish in Japanese cuisine.
Kisses, in Letters
Answer: XES
In personal letters, "X" is commonly used to represent a kiss. The use of multiple "Xes" (or "Xs") signifies multiple kisses.
“Your Point Being?”
Answer: AND
This phrase is often used to ask someone to get to the point or clarify the relevance of their previous statement. It can express impatience, questioning the significance or conclusion of what has been mentioned.
