Difficult beginning, and a trait shared by 17-, 23-, 29-, 40- and 46-Across WSJ Crossword Clue

By Date: MAY 27, 2026 Follow on Google

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The most common and recent 10-letter answer for "Difficult beginning, and a trait shared by 17-, 23-, 29-, 40- and 46-Across" is ROCKYSTART.

The clue suggests a phrase that describes a challenging or problematic beginning. The term 'Rocky Start' captures this idea, as 'rocky' implies difficulty or instability. Additionally, the clue indicates that this phrase is a trait shared by other entries, likely because they all begin with the word 'rock,' creating a thematic link.

This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on May 27, 2026.

A 'rocky start' refers to a challenging or problematic beginning to an endeavor or situation.

The clue “Difficult beginning, and a trait shared by 17-, 23-, 29-, 40- and 46-Across” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated May 27 2026, the definitive 10-letter answer is: ROCKYSTART.

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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