Puzzle solutions for Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.

CROSSWORDS

USA TODAY crossword

Play the USA TODAY Crossword Puzzle .

Los Angeles Times crossword

Today's crossword (McMeel)

Daily Commuter crossword

SUDOKU

Play the USA TODAY Sudoku Game .

JUMBLE

BLAZE      FISHY      STENCH      BAKING     

Answer: When instant replay was first used on TV in 1963, everyone wanted to — SEE IT AGAIN

(Distributed by Tribune Content Agency)

CRYPTOGRAPHY PUZZLES

Celebrity Cipher

"I have my hands on the instrument every day. I'll be doing tonight while I'm watching the hockey game." − Gordon Lightfoot

(Distributed by Andrews McMeel)

Cryptoquote

HOW SOFTLY SUMMER SHUTS, WITHOUT THE CREAKING OF A DOOR. − EMILY DICKINSON

(Distributed by King Features)

Cryptoquip

NEW SPECIES OF FLYING MAMMALS THAT HAVE BECOME VERY GOOD AT SPELLING WORDS: ALPHA-BATS.

(Distributed by King Features)

OTHER PUZZLES

Boggle

RING      GOING      WRING      INNING      WIRING      WINNING      ONGOING      

(Distributed by Tribune Content Agency)

Lexigo

EATEN, NECTAR, REVENGE, ERASE, EXCEEDED

(Distributed by Andrews McMeel)

KenKen

Scrabblegrams

7 Little Words

1. UNFAIR

2. PLAYING

3. EXPERIENCE

4. FLAMING

5. COSTUME

6. SMARTEST

7. ANCHOVIES

(Distributed by Andrews McMeel)

Find the Words

Appropriate for our climate

(Distributed by Creators Syndicate)

Kubok

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puzzle solutions for Monday, Aug. 31, 2026