Criminal patterns, for short

Archive answer — July 25, 2026

25 Across

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Clue explained

“MOS” is the published 3-letter fill for 25 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Wall Street Journal Crossword

This clue’s Saturday, July 25, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

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Across

67 clues
  1. 1Biting
  2. 6EMT’s skill
  3. 9“Oh ___, I’m on My Way” (“Porgy and Bess” song)
  4. 13A million times mega-
  5. 17Old copier
  6. 18Make, in math
  7. 19“Freeze the Feeling” brand
  8. 20Draconian
  9. 21Counterfeit chrysalises?
  10. 23Karmann ___ (old VW)
  11. 24Went stratospheric
  12. 25Criminal patterns, for shortMOS
  13. 26Flatten, in a way
  14. 27Architectural dome in mint condition?
  15. 29Has no talent for
  16. 31Takes second, say
  17. 32Radio host and musician John
  18. 35Ancient Jewish ascetics
  19. 37Painting style with clearly defined shapes
  20. 41Horse play
  21. 43Monster flying over Kyushu
  22. 45Flapjack flipper
  23. 46Laid-back greeting?
  24. 50Castle barriers
  25. 52Rod at a pig roast
  26. 53Source of a draft
  27. 54Catlike
  28. 55Vette, e.g.
  29. 56Dedicated lines
  30. 57Bad etiquette in poker
  31. 59Cunning
  32. 60George Eliot protagonist
  33. 63Butler of fiction
  34. 64Muffles
  35. 65Seen enough
  36. 66University of Florida athletes
  37. 68Streisand title role
  38. 69Coach of the fictional AFC Richmond
  39. 72Alternative to NYSE or Rx
  40. 73Outfits
  41. 74“My Eyes Adored You” singer Frankie
  42. 75___ Maria
  43. 76Fingerprint feature
  44. 78“Careless Hands” singer Mel
  45. 79Runny chili, say?
  46. 81Overshadowed
  47. 83Grant
  48. 85Base address
  49. 86186-year-old New Orleans restaurant
  50. 88Problems for musicians
  51. 92Big 12 team in Salt Lake City
  52. 93Spain’s currency before 2002
  53. 95Spike Lee biopic
  54. 97Bellhop at a romantic retreat?
  55. 101“Break Your Heart” singer Cruz
  56. 102Big brouhaha
  57. 105Pests on 116-Across
  58. 106Lyra’s brightest star
  59. 107One of three choices in a shell game?
  60. 109Actors Chris and Sean
  61. 110“Idylls of the King” character
  62. 111Prefix with sac or raptor
  63. 112Deal maker
  64. 113Make out, in Manchester
  65. 114Call at first
  66. 115Worker in an orchard
  67. 116Garden flowers

Down

73 clues
  1. 1Kind of radio
  2. 2“Bye now!”
  3. 3Outback strutters
  4. 4Alternative to Bowser
  5. 5Noisy Hasbro toy
  6. 6Some roasters
  7. 7April 1 doings
  8. 8Court matter
  9. 9Ready for filming, perhaps
  10. 10Advil target
  11. 11Low dams
  12. 12Scarcity
  13. 13Old drum kits
  14. 14Spain’s currency after 2002
  15. 15Casting need
  16. 16“M*A*S*H” star
  17. 20Might have, casually
  18. 22Michael of “Shrinking”
  19. 24Steep slopes
  20. 27Rapids transit
  21. 28Like some beer and bread
  22. 29Feng ___
  23. 30Wait on
  24. 32Lab work
  25. 33Evenly matched
  26. 34Primer layer of paint?
  27. 36Euphemism for “hell”
  28. 381802 founding of a chemical company?
  29. 39Move gracefully
  30. 40Foodie
  31. 42Web, at times
  32. 44Christmas music
  33. 47Showbiz “grand slams”
  34. 48Handle pressure poorly
  35. 49Completely
  36. 51“___ Maria”
  37. 55Fanatic followings
  38. 58Horton heard one
  39. 59Holster holder
  40. 60Very much
  41. 61Departs from the script
  42. 62Narrow inlet
  43. 64Skin layer
  44. 65Album that included “Yesterday”
  45. 66Israel’s Meir
  46. 67Peach State capital, familiarly
  47. 68Easily handled, as a sailboat
  48. 69Torque symbol
  49. 70Scorch
  50. 71Caravan destinations
  51. 73Hail Mary instruction
  52. 74“Wheel of Fortune” purchase
  53. 77Buttress’s job
  54. 78Reacts to a scare
  55. 79Navigation aid
  56. 80Evian et Perrier
  57. 82Catches flies, say
  58. 84Tart drink
  59. 87Spots for pots
  60. 89On the move
  61. 90Band aide
  62. 91Tried to get home, maybe
  63. 94“Gladiator” setting
  64. 96Back biter
  65. 97Ballpark souvenirs
  66. 98Ready for customers
  67. 99“Actually, that’s wrong”
  68. 100Cry of relief
  69. 102Las Vegas WNBA team
  70. 103Book that takes place on Arrakis
  71. 104Makes a choice
  72. 107Rowdy crowd
  73. 108Sense of self

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. Biting

    Answer: ACERB

  2. 6. EMT’s skill

    Answer: CPR

  3. 9. “Oh ___, I’m on My Way” (“Porgy and Bess” song)

    Answer: LAWD

  4. 13. A million times mega-

    Answer: TERA

  5. 17. Old copier

    Answer: MIMEO

  6. 18. Make, in math

    Answer: ARE

  7. 19. “Freeze the Feeling” brand

    Answer: ICEE

  8. 20. Draconian

    Answer: CRUEL

  9. 21. Counterfeit chrysalises?

    Answer: FAUXPUPAS

  10. 23. Karmann ___ (old VW)

    Answer: GHIA

  11. 24. Went stratospheric

    Answer: SOARED

  12. 25. Criminal patterns, for short

    Answer: MOS

  13. 26. Flatten, in a way

    Answer: IRON

  14. 27. Architectural dome in mint condition?

    Answer: CHERRYCUPOLA

  15. 29. Has no talent for

    Answer: STINKSAT

  16. 31. Takes second, say

    Answer: STEALS

  17. 32. Radio host and musician John

    Answer: TESH

  18. 35. Ancient Jewish ascetics

    Answer: ESSENES

  19. 37. Painting style with clearly defined shapes

    Answer: HARDEDGE

  20. 41. Horse play

    Answer: EQUUS

  21. 43. Monster flying over Kyushu

    Answer: RODAN

  22. 45. Flapjack flipper

    Answer: SPATULA

  23. 46. Laid-back greeting?

    Answer: SUPINEWAVE

  24. 50. Castle barriers

    Answer: MOATS

  25. 52. Rod at a pig roast

    Answer: SPIT

  26. 53. Source of a draft

    Answer: TAP

  27. 54. Catlike

    Answer: AGILE

  28. 55. Vette, e.g.

    Answer: CHEVY

  29. 56. Dedicated lines

    Answer: ODE

  30. 57. Bad etiquette in poker

    Answer: SLOWROLL

  31. 59. Cunning

    Answer: GUILE

  32. 60. George Eliot protagonist

    Answer: MARNER

  33. 63. Butler of fiction

    Answer: RHETT

  34. 64. Muffles

    Answer: DULLS

  35. 65. Seen enough

    Answer: HADIT

  36. 66. University of Florida athletes

    Answer: GATORS

  37. 68. Streisand title role

    Answer: YENTL

  38. 69. Coach of the fictional AFC Richmond

    Answer: TEDLASSO

  39. 72. Alternative to NYSE or Rx

    Answer: OTC

  40. 73. Outfits

    Answer: GARBS

  41. 74. “My Eyes Adored You” singer Frankie

    Answer: VALLI

  42. 75. ___ Maria

    Answer: TIA

  43. 76. Fingerprint feature

    Answer: LOOP

  44. 78. “Careless Hands” singer Mel

    Answer: TORME

  45. 79. Runny chili, say?

    Answer: SOUPYBEANS

  46. 81. Overshadowed

    Answer: DWARFED

  47. 83. Grant

    Answer: ALLOW

  48. 85. Base address

    Answer: SARGE

  49. 86. 186-year-old New Orleans restaurant

    Answer: ANTOINES

  50. 88. Problems for musicians

    Answer: TINEARS

  51. 92. Big 12 team in Salt Lake City

    Answer: UTES

  52. 93. Spain’s currency before 2002

    Answer: PESETA

  53. 95. Spike Lee biopic

    Answer: MALCOLMX

  54. 97. Bellhop at a romantic retreat?

    Answer: COUPLEPORTER

  55. 101. “Break Your Heart” singer Cruz

    Answer: TAIO

  56. 102. Big brouhaha

    Answer: ADO

  57. 105. Pests on 116-Across

    Answer: APHIDS

  58. 106. Lyra’s brightest star

    Answer: VEGA

  59. 107. One of three choices in a shell game?

    Answer: MIDDLECUP

  60. 109. Actors Chris and Sean

    Answer: PENNS

  61. 110. “Idylls of the King” character

    Answer: ENID

  62. 111. Prefix with sac or raptor

    Answer: OVI

  63. 112. Deal maker

    Answer: AGENT

  64. 113. Make out, in Manchester

    Answer: SNOG

  65. 114. Call at first

    Answer: SAFE

  66. 115. Worker in an orchard

    Answer: BEE

  67. 116. Garden flowers

    Answer: ROSES

Down

  1. 1. Kind of radio

    Answer: AMFM

  2. 2. “Bye now!”

    Answer: CIAO

  3. 3. Outback strutters

    Answer: EMUS

  4. 4. Alternative to Bowser

    Answer: REX

  5. 5. Noisy Hasbro toy

    Answer: BOPIT

  6. 6. Some roasters

    Answer: CAPONS

  7. 7. April 1 doings

    Answer: PRANKS

  8. 8. Court matter

    Answer: RES

  9. 9. Ready for filming, perhaps

    Answer: LIGHTED

  10. 10. Advil target

    Answer: ACHE

  11. 11. Low dams

    Answer: WEIRS

  12. 12. Scarcity

    Answer: DEARTH

  13. 13. Old drum kits

    Answer: TRAPSETS

  14. 14. Spain’s currency after 2002

    Answer: EURO

  15. 15. Casting need

    Answer: REEL

  16. 16. “M*A*S*H” star

    Answer: ALDA

  17. 20. Might have, casually

    Answer: COULDA

  18. 22. Michael of “Shrinking”

    Answer: URIE

  19. 24. Steep slopes

    Answer: SCARPS

  20. 27. Rapids transit

    Answer: CANOE

  21. 28. Like some beer and bread

    Answer: YEASTY

  22. 29. Feng ___

    Answer: SHUI

  23. 30. Wait on

    Answer: SERVE

  24. 32. Lab work

    Answer: TESTS

  25. 33. Evenly matched

    Answer: EQUAL

  26. 34. Primer layer of paint?

    Answer: SUPPORTCOAT

  27. 36. Euphemism for “hell”

    Answer: SAMHILL

  28. 38. 1802 founding of a chemical company?

    Answer: DUPONTSTART

  29. 39. Move gracefully

    Answer: GLIDE

  30. 40. Foodie

    Answer: EATER

  31. 42. Web, at times

    Answer: SNARER

  32. 44. Christmas music

    Answer: NOELS

  33. 47. Showbiz “grand slams”

    Answer: EGOTS

  34. 48. Handle pressure poorly

    Answer: WILT

  35. 49. Completely

    Answer: ALL

  36. 55. Fanatic followings

    Answer: CULTS

  37. 58. Horton heard one

    Answer: WHO

  38. 59. Holster holder

    Answer: GUNBELT

  39. 60. Very much

    Answer: MADLY

  40. 61. Departs from the script

    Answer: ADLIBS

  41. 62. Narrow inlet

    Answer: RIA

  42. 64. Skin layer

    Answer: DERMA

  43. 65. Album that included “Yesterday”

    Answer: HELP

  44. 66. Israel’s Meir

    Answer: GOLDA

  45. 67. Peach State capital, familiarly

    Answer: ATOWN

  46. 68. Easily handled, as a sailboat

    Answer: YAR

  47. 69. Torque symbol

    Answer: TAU

  48. 70. Scorch

    Answer: SINGE

  49. 71. Caravan destinations

    Answer: OASES

  50. 73. Hail Mary instruction

    Answer: GODEEP

  51. 74. “Wheel of Fortune” purchase

    Answer: VOWEL

  52. 77. Buttress’s job

    Answer: PROPPING

  53. 78. Reacts to a scare

    Answer: TENSES

  54. 79. Navigation aid

    Answer: SONAR

  55. 80. Evian et Perrier

    Answer: EAUX

  56. 82. Catches flies, say

    Answer: FIELDS

  57. 84. Tart drink

    Answer: LIMEADE

  58. 87. Spots for pots

    Answer: STOVES

  59. 89. On the move

    Answer: ACTIVE

  60. 90. Band aide

    Answer: ROADIE

  61. 91. Tried to get home, maybe

    Answer: SLID

  62. 94. “Gladiator” setting

    Answer: ARENA

  63. 96. Back biter

    Answer: MOLAR

  64. 97. Ballpark souvenirs

    Answer: CAPS

  65. 98. Ready for customers

    Answer: OPEN

  66. 99. “Actually, that’s wrong”

    Answer: UHNO

  67. 100. Cry of relief

    Answer: TGIF

  68. 102. Las Vegas WNBA team

    Answer: ACES

  69. 103. Book that takes place on Arrakis

    Answer: DUNE

  70. 104. Makes a choice

    Answer: OPTS

  71. 107. Rowdy crowd

    Answer: MOB

  72. 108. Sense of self

    Answer: EGO

The answer to “Criminal patterns, for short” in the Wall Street Journal Crossword is MOS — a 3-letter word. It appears in our available data for July 25, 2026 at 25-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Criminal patterns, for short” answer

MOS(3 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does MOS fit?

MOS is the published 3-letter answer at 25-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Criminal patterns, for short” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Criminal patterns, for short”?

The answer is MOS.

How many letters are in the answer?

3 letters: MOS.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Wall Street Journal Crossword for July 25, 2026 at 25-Across.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Wall Street Journal answers page for July 25, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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