Jumble Answers for 08/21/2026

CARTOON ANSWER:

VACANT
STARE
⬇️ SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE ⬇️

WELCOME BACK,

PUZZLE PLAYERS!

🔑 EXIT STRATEGY

Today’s cartoon takes us inside apartment 4G, where a landlord has walked in to find the place completely empty. The tenants apparently packed up and slipped away without warning, leaving behind little more than an empty apartment and a rent payment that probably isn’t coming. A neighbor confirms that she saw them moving out the night before, making it clear this was no ordinary departure. With no notice and no explanation, the landlord is left frozen by what she’s just walked into.

🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN

SBSIA = BASIS

Took way longer than it probably should have.

Last used: 07/15/2025 as SBSIA

EANVR = RAVEN

Came after a couple of looks.

Last used: 03/30/2024 as VARNE

ARZHDA = HAZARD

The Z made it a breeze.

Last used: 01/05/2026 as RZAADH

TCINTA = INTACT

My pick for hardest.

Last used: 05/09/2024 as CANITT

🔎 JUMBLE JEFF’S JEMS

➤ RENT, RAN, GONE

The landlord stands just inside the apartment with a deer-in-the-headlights look. Her hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, and she’s wearing a short-sleeve shirt and pants while holding the apartment keys in her still-extended left hand.

➤ HALLWAY HEARSAY

The neighbor stands just outside the doorway wearing a sleeveless V-neck top with a repeating zigzag-style stitched pattern near the neckline and hem, along with fitted pants. Her dark hair is swept across her forehead, and one ear has three small hoop earrings running upward with a stud at the lobe.

➤ 4G, BUT NOBODY HOME

The open door is marked 4G with a peephole beneath it, along with a doorknob and a separate lock for the deadbolt. Inside, the apartment has carpeting, a wall vent near the ceiling, and a lone nail with picture wire still hanging from it. Outside the doorway, a railing and part of the neighboring building are visible.

🧠 FINAL SOLVE

The final answer was a 11-letter anagram that solved into a 6 + 5 layout. The answer to our final puzzle of the work week would be exactly what I gave this one when first looking at the cartoon and letter layout. Without even attempting a guess, I moved on to the clue words to get my foot in the door. They weren’t exactly pushovers, with all of them needing a moment except HAZARD. Once solved, the V stood out amongst the pack. VACANT came to mind after thinking about it for a second. With those letters crossed out, I first thought the remaining letters spelled RATES, but that didn’t make any sense and was quickly rearranged into STARE to seal the deal. If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our nudges were the visual of the VACANT apartment, along with the landlord’s blank STARE as she takes in what the tenants left behind.

🏠 CLICK-TO-REVEAL FACTS*: ABOUT RENTING IN 2026

➤ How much is the average rent in the United States?
The typical asking rent in the United States was approximately $1,692 per month in June 2026.
SOURCE
➤ How old is the typical renter?
The typical U.S. renter is about 41 years old.
SOURCE
➤ Which U.S. city has the highest rent?
New York City is among the most expensive rental markets in the country, with a median asking rent of $3,707 per month in the second quarter of 2026.
SOURCE
➤ Which U.S. city has the lowest rent?
Oklahoma City is one of the least expensive major U.S. rental markets, with rents running at roughly $900 per month.
SOURCE
➤ How long does the average renter stay in the same home?
Renters stay in the same home for an average of about 6.5 years, compared with 5.9 years in 2019.
SOURCE
➤ What percentage of renters have pets?
About 43% of renters have a pet.
SOURCE
➤ How much of their income do Americans spend on rent?
The median U.S. rent amounts to about 29.1% of average household income.
SOURCE

*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

💬 SAY WHAT?

“We are only tenants, and shortly the great Landlord will give us notice that our lease has expired.” — Joseph Jefferson

🗳️ GET A CLUE*
(ABOUT EACH OTHER!)

Solving the puzzle might be the main event, but connecting with one another is just as fun. Here’s a quick poll to share your perspective and see where you land among your fellow players.

*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

🎉 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS* – AUGUST 21

National Spumoni Day — A day for the colorful Italian frozen dessert traditionally made with layers of different flavors, fruits, and nuts. SOURCE

National Senior Citizens Day — A day recognizing the contributions, accomplishments, and experiences of senior citizens across the country. SOURCE

National Fantasy Football Draft Day — Time to study the players, make those picks, and put together the fantasy football roster you hope will carry you through the season. SOURCE

Brazilian Blowout Day — A day recognizing the popular salon treatment designed to smooth hair, reduce frizz, and create a sleek, polished look. SOURCE

*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

🥄 VIRAL RECIPE

Peanut Butter Cookie S’mores Pizza

This dessert starts with a giant peanut butter cookie crust and piles on the campfire favorites with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Everything gets baked together until the marshmallows are toasted and the chocolate is melty, turning a classic s’more into one big sliceable dessert.

🛒 DAILY DROPS*

Johnsonville Blueberry Breakfast Sausage — Johnsonville is putting a sweet spin on breakfast sausage with new pork links made with dried blueberries, sugar, and brown sugar. The combination mixes traditional savory sausage with the sweet-tart flavor of blueberries for something that lands somewhere between breakfast sausage and a blueberry pancake. SOURCE

Lay’s Barbecue Brisket Potato Chips — Lay’s is taking its barbecue lineup in a meatier direction with limited-edition Barbecue Brisket flavored potato chips. The new flavor takes its cue from slow-smoked brisket, bringing the flavor of the barbecue pit into a bag of potato chips. The limited-edition bags are already beginning to appear at retailers including Target, Publix, and Vons. SOURCE

M&M’s Mint Crunchy Cookie — M&M’s is giving its Crunchy Cookie candy a minty makeover with a new Mint Crunchy Cookie flavor. Each piece combines milk chocolate and mint flavor around a crunchy cookie center. The limited-time flavor is a Walmart exclusive scheduled to begin hitting shelves in September. SOURCE

Subway Hot Honey Swicy Collection — Subway is bringing Hot Honey back with a new sweet-and-spicy lineup led by Doritos Hot Honey Nachos, made with Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips, Monterey cheddar, vegetables, Hot Honey, and a choice of chicken, steak, or cheese. The lineup also includes the Hot Honey Italian with salami, pepperoni, and provolone, and the Hot Honey Turkey Italiano with turkey, salami, pepperoni, and provolone. The limited-time collection runs from August 20 through October 26, or while supplies last, at participating restaurants. SOURCE

*Prices and participation may vary. Retailers and restaurants may alter or end promotions without notice. For entertainment purposes only.

🌓That’s A Wrap!

JEST For Fun

(Click joke to reveal answer)
➤ Why should you always rent space to a Chinese restaurant?
They’re lo mein tenants!
➤ How did Beethoven rent out his apartment?
He put it up FÜR ELISE!
➤ What do you call it when mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan rent a place together?
COTTAGE cheese!

🏆 Kudos to these players who NOTICE game backwards and forwards:

🏘️ Inquislysprby

🪑 Cheerful5D

🗝️ Keithbock

🪴 Butterflybarbi

🧱 Usuallye4cc

🧷 Alleytaj52

🧾 Jkorski

🪟 LadyCrafty

🔔 Jeffritter3fb

🍫 Betty

🏠 Postjoyfully

🧰 DTomassini

🔑 Alan H.

🧺 Groovyphantom

🧽 Electricmusic

🧳 Krispy7832

🏢 Mkratzert

🪪 Bergenhighland

🔒 MateodeColón

🛗 Jhaverty

🧹 Rpavenue

📬 Warren

🧯 Heartrainyafd

🪜 Bobsteve9

🛋️ GHB8225

🧲 AceKincaid

🚚 Smitty

📋 HonestlyOff

📦 Charlie

🚪 Pink3CE

Please leave a LIKE, FACEBOOK 👍, or PINTEREST 📍 before you skedaddle!

✨ May your day be BRIGHT and your mind stay SHARP! ✨

Jumble is a registered trademark of Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights to the original puzzle, characters, and artwork are owned by Tribune Content Agency. This site is an independent fan resource and solver’s guide, unaffiliated with the creators or syndicators. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect those of Tribune Content Agency or the puzzle’s creators. For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

THANK YOU
FOR READING!