Controversial issue WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh / January 13, 2026

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Crossword Answer

1 ? H

2 ? O

3 ? T

4 ? P

5 ? O

6 ? T

7 ? A

8 ? T

9 ? O

Hint

Interactive Solver for Controversial issue Crossword Clue

Drag letters from the pool into “Your Answer”, then reorder them to match the solution.

Your Answer 9 Letter

Current guess: —

Letter Pool

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Hint 1

hint

Reveal Hint

Think of something too hot to handle, passed from hand to hand in avoidance.

Hint 2

meaning

Reveal Hint

A ????????? is a contentious or difficult issue that people avoid dealing with.

Hint 3

explanation

Reveal Hint

The phrase '?????????' refers to a sensitive or controversial issue that is difficult to handle or discuss, much like a ????????? that is difficult to hold. The clue uses the metaphorical sense of the term to describe a topic that people might avoid due to its contentious nature.

WSJ Crossword January 13 2026 Answers

Tap a cell to show its letter

1 ? B
2 ? E
3 ? T
4 ? O
5 ? N
6 ? I
7 ? P
8 ? S
9 ? O
10 ? A
11 ? R
12 ? C
13 ? H
14 ? I
? R
? O
? N
? S
15 ? R
? I
? P
? S
16 ? T
? I
? R
? E
17 ? C
? O
? O
? L
? A
18 ? S
? A
? C
? U
? C
19 ? U
? M
? B
? E
? R
20 ? S
? L
? Y
21 ? T
? I
? A
? R
? A
? S
22 ? C
? A
? D
23 ? S
? I
? A
24 ? L
? O
? S
25 ? R
? E
26 ? B
? A
? T
? E
27 ? R
? O
? T
28 ? T
? E
? N
? E
29 ? G
30 ? G
31 ? A
? G
? E
? R
32 ? O
? N
? E
? O
? N
? E
33 ? U
? P
34 ? S
35 ? N
? E
? S
? S
36 ? W
? O
? R
37 ? D
? S
? A
? L
38 ? A
? D
39 ? M
40 ? A
41 ? M
? E
42 ? S
? O
? T
43 ? O
? R
? I
44 ? G
45 ? I
46 ? N
47 ? E
? L
? A
? L
48 ? H
? O
49 ? T
? P
? O
? T
? A
? T
? O
50 ? D
? A
? N
? S
51 ? O
52 ? N
53 ? H
? I
? D
54 ? S
? S
? N
55 ? A
? M
? O
56 ? V
? I
57 ? O
58 ? L
? I
? N
59 ? O
? P
? T
60 ? L
? O
? W
61 ? H
? A
? N
? G
? I
? N
? G
62 ? F
? R
? U
? I
63 ? T
64 ? E
? D
? A
? M
65 ? T
? R
? E
? K
66 ? D
? E
? M
? M
? E
67 ? D
? E
? R
? M
68 ? H
? E
? N
? S
69 ? A
? S
? P
? E
? N

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Clue Analysis

The clue “Controversial issue” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated January 13 2026, the definitive 9-letter answer is: HOTPOTATO.

Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

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Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

At Daze Puzzle, we understand that every clue is a puzzle within a larger puzzle. Our team of dedicated human experts and puzzle lovers solves these challenges daily to help you succeed. Below, we answer common questions about this specific clue.

A: The most common and recent 9-letter answer for "Controversial issue" is HOTPOTATO.

A: The phrase 'hot potato' refers to a sensitive or controversial issue that is difficult to handle or discuss, much like a hot potato that is difficult to hold. The clue uses the metaphorical sense of the term to describe a topic that people might avoid due to its contentious nature.

A: This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on January 13, 2026.

A: A hot potato is a contentious or difficult issue that people avoid dealing with.

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Controversial issue WSJ Crossword Clue

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