Firing up the Washington Post’s daily crossword is a classic ritual, but it can be a real brain-bender. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just getting started, some days the clues (and that tricky theme!) just don’t click. Since the WaPo daily can be tough sometimes, solving it can be quite a challenge. If you’ve found yourself stuck on a few answers, you’ve come to the right guide. Here are hints and answers for today’s Washington Post (LA Times) Daily crossword puzzle.
Today’s Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Answers for January 4, 2026
1 Across: Geyser output – STEAM
6 Across: Cause to blush – ABASH
11 Across: Some Caribbean exports – RUMS
15 Across: “Goldberg Variations” composer – BACH
19 Across: Blender button – PULSE
20 Across: Marisa who plays Peter Parker’s aunt – TOMEI
21 Across: Cookie with six Thanksgiving-inspired flavors – OREO
22 Across: Crass – RUDE
23 Across: Dined at home – ATEIN
24 Across: Massage – KNED
25 Across: Annapolis sch. – USNA
26 Across: “For All Mankind” side: Abbr. – USSR
27 Across: Bistro where diners rarely get what they order? – CONFUSIONRESTAURANT
31 Across: Bullpen stat – ERA
32 Across: Get into – DON
33 Across: Poke bowl choice – AHI
34 Across: Vassals – SERFS
37 Across: One who makes a huge profit in the gaming industry? – CONSOLEBENEFICIARY
44 Across: Branch of Islam – SHIA
47 Across: Part to play – ROLE
48 Across: Give of – EXUDE
49 Across: Chaney of classic horror – LON
50 Across: Museum employee who specializes in topographic maps? – CONTOURGUIDE
55 Across: Marvel superhero with martial arts expertise – IRONFIST
57 Across: Road beneath a freeway – UNDERPASS
58 Across: Uncomfortable spot – ZIT
60 Across: Layers – STRATA
61 Across: TV actress Susan – DEY
62 Across: Understood – GOT
63 Across: Parts of quotes – PRICES
66 Across: Black stone – ONYX
67 Across: Well-secured garden vines? – CONSTRAINEDPEAS
72 Across: Word in classic mystery novel titles – CASE
75 Across: Kumquat shade – ORANGE
76 Across: Concert piece – AMP
77 Across: Long-running CBS drama – CSI
80 Across: Part of a vague threat – ORELSE
83 Across: Nail art brand – OPI
84 Across: Row of stores – STRIPMALL
87 Across: Sunday planning that makes weeknight dinners easier, say – MEALPREP
89 Across: Inflatables ridden in a river race? – CONTESTTUBES
92 Across: Shiba __ – INU
93 Across: Maximum or minimum – LIMIT
95 Across: Shoddy – POOR
96 Across: The Hawkeye State – IOWA
97 Across: Inchworm with a successful YouTube channel? – CONTENTCATERPILLAR
103 Across: “Goosebumps” series writer – STINE
104 Across: Retro hip beer, for short – PBR
105 Across: Coconut __ – OIL
106 Across: Hosts, for short – MCS
109 Across: Remodel of a badly designed airport terminal? – CONCOURSECORRECTION
117 Across: Storyline – PLOT
119 Across: River of northern Spain – EBRO
120 Across: Made manageable – TAMED
121 Across: “The Studio” actress Catherine – OHARA
122 Across: In short supply – RARE
123 Across: Corporate image – LOGO
124 Across: “Judge Mathis” event – TRIAL
125 Across: Election Day figure – VOTER
126 Across: Doesn’t rent – OWNS
127 Across: Abound (with) – TEEM
128 Across: In a suitable way – APTLY
129 Across: Clear – ERASE
1 Down: __ bar – SPACE
2 Down: Teach privately – TUTOR
3 Down: Two-time WNBA MVP __ Delle Donne – ELENA
4 Down: “Ew! No!” – ASIF
5 Down: Mexican soup made with tripe – MENUDO
6 Down: Guitarist Chet who helped create the Nashville sound – ATKINS
7 Down: Pro : at no charge – BONO
8 Down : “Right on!” – AMEN
9 Down : Cook the surface of – SEAR
10 Down : Sleeper sofa – HIDEABED
11 Down : Ordinary – ROUTINE
12 Down : __ Major – URSA
13 Down : OpenTable link – MENU
14 Down : Skyrocket – SOAR
15 Down : Country surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak – BRUNEI
16 Down : Like koalas – AUSTRALIAN
17 Down : IRA options – CDS
1 8 Down: See 29-Down – HER
28 Down : Daughter’s brother – SON
29 Down: With 18-Down, pronoun pair – SHE
30 Down: Way up – ASCENT
35 Down: Extremely unfriendly – FROSTY
36 Down: Sentence structure – SYNTAX
37 Down: Blanchett with two Oscars – CATE
38 Down: Agcys. – ORGS
39 Down : Singers Reed and Rawls – LOUS
40 Down: Yale student – ELI
41 Down: Left – EXITED
42 Down : Dog coat – FUR
43 Down : Rite words – IDOS
44 Down: Skim along, as clouds – SCUD
45 Down : Sharpen – HONE
46 Down : Memorial Day weekend race, casually – INDY
51 Down : Chem class for premeds – ORGO
52 Down: “ further reflection … ” – UPON
53 Down: “Midnight Cowboy” hustler – RATSO
54 Down: Online mag – EZINE
56 Down: Curly hairstyles, informally – FROS
59 Down: Zamboni surface – ICE
63 Down: Freak out – PANIC
64 Down: Semi – RIG
65 Down: Trades barbs – SPARS
67 Down: Minesweeper unit – CELL
68 Down: Torrid Zone boundary – TROPIC
69 Down: Sharp knock – RAP
70 Down: Give of – EMIT
71 Down: Spot on a sked – APPT
72 Down: Stand-up individuals? – COMICS
73 Down: “We __ alone” – ARENOT
74 Down: Narwhal – SEAUNICORN
77 Down: Baja resort, familiarly – CABO
78 Down: Whole lot – SLEW
79 Down: The “kid” in “Here’s looking at you, kid” – ILSA
81 Down: Organ near the pancreas – SPLEEN
82 Down: CNN anchor Burnett – ERIN
84 Down: “Enough!” – STOP
85 Down: Actress Polo – TERI
86 Down: ABC News anchor David – MUIR
88 Down: First aid pro – EMT
90 Down: “The Mikado,” for one – OPERETTA
91 Down: Scand. kingdom – NOR
94 Down: Place to make draft picks – TAPROOM
98 Down: IRA options – TNOTES
99 Down: Network that airs “TBBT” reruns – TBS
100 Down: Imperious – LORDLY
101 Down: Tell tales – LIE
102 Down: Cozy spot – ALCOVE
106 Down: Mazda two-seater – MIATA
107 Down: Apple centers – CORES
108 Down: Drum kit piece – SNARE
110 Down: Saxon foe – CELT
111 Down: Wind with keys – OBOE
112 Down: Hankering – URGE
113 Down: Complain querulously – CARP
114 Down: Conveniently leave out, maybe – OMIT
115 Down: Word in some Spanish team names – REAL
116 Down: Hammer-wielding god – THOR
117 Down: __ rata – PRO
118 Down: Brief topic – LAW
This crossword strikes a satisfying balance between clever wordplay and accessible solving, with several long entries that feel playful without being overcomplicated. The theme-driven clues are particularly enjoyable, offering light “aha” moments that reward careful reading rather than brute force, while the fill overall feels clean and contemporary. There’s a nice mix of pop culture, everyday language, and classic crossword staples, which helps maintain momentum throughout the grid. A few crossings lean on familiar abbreviations, but they’re placed thoughtfully and don’t detract from the overall flow. All told, it’s a smooth, engaging puzzle that feels fair and well-constructed, making it an enjoyable solve from start to finish. I would rate this crossword 3.5 out of 5
You can also checkout today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
- NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- LA Times Mini Crossword
- USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers
That’s it, folks, come back again tomorrow for a fresh set o
