Wall Street Journal Crossword 

August 30, 2025 

Seth Ziebarth

(Title shown below as a hint)

 

The first six clues below have something in common that is hinted at by the seventh clue. Can you determine what it is?

 

1. GRAND COULEE

2. MIXED UP AT BIRTH

3. CHEESE PLATTER

4. DELIBERATE THOUGHT

5. GAIN NOTORIETY

6. BLINDFOLD CHESS

7. Puzzle title: Extreme Happiness 

 

Answer:

 

Each clue phrase begins and ends with letters that spell a word meaning happiness:

 

1.  Grand couLEE

2. Mixed up at bIRTH

3. CHEEse platteR / CHEese plattER

4. DELIberate thouGHT

5. GAIn notoriETY /GAin notorIETY

6. BLIndfold cheSS