Rafters and gondoliers, and a punny category for 17-, 28-, 41- and 54-Across WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh / January 14, 2026

Crossword Answer

1 ? B

2 ? O

3 ? A

4 ? T

5 ? M

6 ? E

7 ? N

Hint

Interactive Solver for Rafters and gondoliers, and a punny category for 17-, 28-, 41- and 54-Across Crossword Clue

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

Your Answer 7 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 those who guide vessels through water, whether with oars or poles.

Hint 2

meaning

Reveal Hint

??????? are individuals who operate or navigate boats.

Hint 3

explanation

Reveal Hint

The clue refers to people who operate boats. Rafters navigate rafts, and gondoliers steer gondolas, both of which are types of ???????. The phrase 'punny category' suggests that the answers to the other clues involve wordplay related to boats or boat operators.

WSJ Crossword January 14 2026 Answers

Tap a cell to show its letter

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

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Clue Analysis

The clue “Rafters and gondoliers, and a punny category for 17-, 28-, 41- and 54-Across” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated January 14 2026, the definitive 7-letter answer is: BOATMEN.

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 7-letter answer for "Rafters and gondoliers, and a punny category for 17-, 28-, 41- and 54-Across" is BOATMEN.

A: The clue refers to people who operate boats. Rafters navigate rafts, and gondoliers steer gondolas, both of which are types of boatmen. The phrase 'punny category' suggests that the answers to the other clues involve wordplay related to boats or boat operators.

A: This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on January 14, 2026.

A: Boatmen are individuals who operate or navigate boats.

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Rafters and gondoliers, and a punny category for 17-, 28-, 41- and 54-Across WSJ Crossword Clue

Crossword Answer

Interactive Solver for Rafters and gondoliers, and a punny category for 17-, 28-, 41- and 54-Across Crossword Clue