“Grow a spine!” WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh / February 12, 2026

Crossword Answer

1 ? T

2 ? O

3 ? U

4 ? G

5 ? H

6 ? E

7 ? N

8 ? U

9 ? P

Hint

Interactive Solver for “Grow a spine!” 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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Unlock the puzzle's secrets with Daze's progressive hints!

Hint 1

hint

Reveal Hint

Think of what happens to steel when it needs to withstand more pressure.

Hint 2

meaning

Reveal Hint

To become stronger or more resilient, especially in response to difficulties.

Hint 3

explanation

Reveal Hint

The phrase 'Grow a spine!' is an idiomatic way of telling someone to become more courageous or resilient. '?????????' is a synonymous expression that suggests developing a thicker skin or becoming more robust in the face of challenges.

WSJ Crossword February 12 2026 Answers

Tap a cell to show its letter

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

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Clue Analysis

The clue ““Grow a spine!”” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated February 12 2026, the definitive 9-letter answer is: TOUGHENUP.

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 "“Grow a spine!”" is TOUGHENUP.

A: The phrase 'Grow a spine!' is an idiomatic way of telling someone to become more courageous or resilient. 'Toughen up' is a synonymous expression that suggests developing a thicker skin or becoming more robust in the face of challenges.

A: This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on February 12, 2026.

A: To become stronger or more resilient, especially in response to difficulties.

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“Grow a spine!” WSJ Crossword Clue

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