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 9, 2026

  • 1 Across: Framing pieces – JAMBS

  • 6 Across: Layer under a tee – CAMI

  • 10 Across: Basketball commentator Rebecca – LOBO

  • 14 Across: Swings and misses three times, say – ISOUT

  • 15 Across: Nudge – PROD

  • 16 Across: Leaving less of a bad taste, maybe – RIPER

  • 17 Across: Pseudo? – FALSEFRONT

  • 19 Across: Annual EDM festival in 22-Down – ULTRA

  • 20 Across: Fashionably nostalgic – RETRO

  • 21 Across: __ the consequences – DAMN

  • 23 Across: Evil act – SIN

  • 24 Across: Lab coat? – FUR

  • 25 Across: Neo? – NEWBEGINNING

  • 29 Across: Word of woe – ALAS

  • 31 Across: Biological pouch – SAC

  • 32 Across: Maxims – SAYINGS

  • 33 Across: Portions (out) – METES

  • 35 Across: Covered in crystals? – ICY

  • 37 Across: Stalter of “Hacks” – MEG

  • 38 Across: Mono? – SINGLEORIGIN

  • 42 Across: Also – TOO

  • 43 Across: Pair – DUO

  • 44 Across: Spot targeted by butterfly stretches – GROIN

  • 47 Across: Takes up a lot of space – SPRAWLS

  • 51 Across: “__ been a minute” – ITS

  • 53 Across: Ibiza, por ejemplo – ISLA

  • 54 Across: Mega? – GRANDOPENING

  • 57 Across: Shade tree – ELM

  • 58 Across: Tax counterpart – TIP

  • 59 Across: Missing GI – AWOL

  • 60 Across: Concession speech? – ILOST

  • 62 Across: Down in the dumps – MOPEY

  • 64 Across: Anti? – NONSTARTER

  • 68 Across: Location, location, location – AREAS

  • 69 Across: Transcript figs. – GPAS

  • 70 Across: Racing shell – SCULL

  • 71 Across: Leave in the lurch in the church – JILT

  • 72 Across: “Abominable” character named Everest – YETI

  • 73 Across: Word of woe – SADLY

  • 1 Down: Peter Pan rival – JIF

  • 2 Down: In general – ASARULE

  • 3 Down: “Naked” rodents – MOLERATS

  • 4 Down: Get three eights in blackjack, say – BUST

  • 5 Down: Unsmiling – STERN

  • 6 Down: Procedure practiced on mannequins: Abbr. – CPR

  • 7 Down: Preferring platonic relationships, informally – ARO

  • 8 Down: Café du __: New Orleans shop known for beignets – MONDE

  • 9 Down: Collar danglers – IDTAGS

  • 10 Down: Rapper __ Mama – LIL

  • 11 Down: Elects to participate – OPTSIN

  • 12 Down: Strait off the coast of Siberia – BERING

  • 13 Down: Indonesian apes – ORANGS

  • 16 Down: Over-easy serving – RUNNYEGG

  • 18 Down: Nemeses – FOES

  • 22 Down: Biscayne Bay city – MIAMI

  • 24 Down: Sibs and ‘rents – FAM

  • 26 Down: Make like a banshee – WAIL

  • 27 Down: Covertly included – BCCED

  • 28 Down: Sushi bite sometimes served on a model boat – NIGIRI

  • 30 Down: Vegan protein option – SEITAN

  • 34 Down: Winter break? – SNOWDAYS

  • 36 Down: “We doing this?” – YOUIN

  • 39 Down: Decline to take the high road – GOLOW

  • 40 Down: Naan relative – ROTI

  • 41 Down: Small bit of facial jewelry – NOSESTUD

  • 45 Down: “You won’t get away with this!” – ILLTELL

  • 46 Down: __ khao: Laotian crispy rice salad – NAM

  • 47 Down: High-ranking noncom – SGTMAJ

  • 48 Down: A __: literally, “from what is earlier” – PRIORI

  • 49 Down: Climber’s descent – RAPPEL

  • 50 Down: Absorbent – SPONGY

  • 52 Down: Foul mood – SNIT

  • 55 Down: Have no reception, say – ELOPE

  • 56 Down: Corning Museum material – GLASS

  • 61 Down: Killer whale – ORCA

  • 63 Down: Have a snack – EAT

  • 65 Down: “Etc.,” in Pittsburghese – NAT

  • 66 Down: Fed. stipend for some people with disabilities – SSI

  • 67 Down: “Srsly?” – RLY

Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers Today – January 9, 2026 - 2

This crossword offers a clever mix of modern culture and classic wordplay that keeps solvers on their toes. The clues range from trendy music festivals and TV stars to geographic straits, providing a nice challenge for different knowledge bases. I especially enjoyed how the puzzle balances short, punchy definitions with more conversational, pun-filled hints. It is a satisfying daily grid that feels fresh and rewarding without being overly frustrating for a casual player. 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.