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.

Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers - 1

Note: The Washington Post and the LA Times share the same Daily Crossword every day, so you can play either.

Today’s Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Answers for January 7, 2026

  • 1 Across: Running sport – TRACK

  • 6 Across: Thrown for a loop – AWED

  • 10 Across: Lure (in) – ROPE

  • 14 Across: Moves like a fleeing deer – BOUNDS

  • 16 Across: Sushi wrapper – NORI

  • 17 Across: Rep on arm day – CURL

  • 18 Across: 1991 operation that ended with the liberation of Kuwait – DESERTSTORM

  • 20 Across: Molecule part – ATOM

  • 21 Across: Focus to win a contest? – STARE

  • 22 Across: Flower bed tool – HOE

  • 23 Across: Sault __ Marie – STE

  • 24 Across: Sushi option – AHI

  • 26 Across: Celestial event such as the Perseids – METEORSHOWER

  • 30 Across: “Succession” actor Culkin – KIERAN

  • 32 Across: Steal from – ROB

  • 33 Across: Prototype: Abbr. – ORIG

  • 34 Across: Basilica niche – APSE

  • 35 Across: __ economy – GIG

  • 37 Across: Structure whose roof begins near its foundation – AFRAME

  • 39 Across: Communication protocol for peer-to-peer file sharing – BITTORRENT

  • 42 Across: Two __ and a lie: icebreaker game – TRUTHS

  • 44 Across: Leb. neighbor – ISR

  • 45 Across: Frittata need – EGGS

  • 49 Across: Lucky acorns, eventually – OAKS

  • 50 Across: Superlative suffix – EST

  • 52 Across: Balance sheet column – ASSETS

  • 54 Across: Sweet finish for fried chicken – HONEYDRIZZLE

  • 57 Across: Large load – TON

  • 58 Across: Cards, in NFL scores – ARI

  • 59 Across: “__ got it!” – IVE

  • 60 Across: Freeze over – ICEUP

  • 62 Across: Make a bad impression? – DENT

  • 64 Across: Perfectly satisfactory, or an apt description of 18-, 26-, 39-, and 54-Across – RIGHTASRAIN

  • 68 Across: Puts away the dishes? – EATS

  • 69 Across: Taiwanese computer company – ACER

  • 70 Across: Stewpot with a conical lid – TAGINE

  • 71 Across: Chow for a sow – SLOP

  • 72 Across: Surrender, as territory – CEDE

  • 73 Across: Stiletto alternative – WEDGE

  • 1 Down: Up in the air, briefly – TBD

  • 2 Down: Fish-to-be – ROE

  • 3 Down: Down Under denizens – AUSSIES

  • 4 Down: Site with tech reviews – CNET

  • 5 Down: Hwang Dong-hyuk’s “Squid Game,” e.g. – KDRAMA

  • 6 Down: Hill worker – ANT

  • 7 Down: Happy holler – WOOHOO

  • 8 Down: Representation of uncertainty on a graph – ERRORBARS

  • 9 Down: Assists, in hoops lingo – DIMES

  • 10 Down: Type of A/V connector – RCA

  • 11 Down: Best in a pool – OUTSWIM

  • 12 Down: Mentee – PROTEGE

  • 13 Down: __ Fudd – ELMER

  • 15 Down: Area of expertise – STRENGTH

  • 19 Down: Good to go – SET

  • 24 Down: Alias lead-in – AKA

  • 25 Down: With it – HIP

  • 27 Down: Conclusion starter – ERGO

  • 28 Down: Beeper? – HORN

  • 29 Down: Provides an address – ORATES

  • 31 Down: Chew out – REBUKE

  • 36 Down: Hardware and software support – ITSERVICE

  • 38 Down: Feline in an alley – FERALCAT

  • 40 Down: Wee – ITSY

  • 41 Down: Nabisco cracker – RITZ

  • 42 Down: Painfully close to home – TOOREAL

  • 43 Down: Met by chance – RANINTO

  • 46 Down: Make bank – GETPAID

  • 47 Down: Classic Pontiac – GTO

  • 48 Down: Oft-protected fig. – SSN

  • 51 Down: Completely surrounded – SIEGED

  • 53 Down: Move back and forth – SEESAW

  • 54 Down: God of the underworld – HADES

  • 55 Down: Nobel-winning physicist Paul – DIRAC

  • 56 Down: Skin blemish – ZIT

  • 61 Down: Encourage – URGE

  • 63 Down: Baking meas. – TSP

  • 65 Down: Ancient Eur. realm – HRE

  • 66 Down: Bank corp. with an orange lion logo – ING

  • 67 Down: Once called – NEE

Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers Today – January 7, 2026 - 2

This crossword comes across as well-constructed and solver-friendly, with a satisfying balance between straightforward fill and a light thematic layer that rewards close reading of the clues. The grid flows smoothly, with clean interlocks and very few awkward crossings, which makes the solving experience feel fair throughout. The long thematic entries are clearly signposted yet clever once multiple answers fall into place, and they’re consistently executed without forcing the fill. Short entries are lively and contemporary, helping avoid any sense of staleness, while the clueing stays crisp, precise, and largely free of ambiguity. Overall, it feels polished and confident—challenging enough to stay engaging, but accessible enough that solvers can maintain momentum from start to finish. I’d comfortably 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

How to Play Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Puzzle

You can play the daily crossword for free on the Washington Post’s website under their “Games” section.

  1. Choose a Clue: Click on any clue in the “Across” or “Down” lists.
  2. Enter Your Answer: The corresponding squares in the grid will be highlighted. Type your answer. The cursor will automatically move to the next square.
  3. Switch Directions: You can press the spacebar or click a square a second time to toggle between “Across” and “Down.”
  4. Check Your Work: You can press the “Check” or “Reveal” feature if you get truly stuck.

That’s it, folks, come back again tomorrow for a fresh set of answers.