The NYT Strands puzzle for October 2, 2026, is number 943. This daily word game requires players to find themed words that fill the entire grid, including a “spangram” that describes the overall category and touches two opposite sides of the board.
Today’s Strands Theme and Broad Hints
The official theme for puzzle #943 is “On the sly…”. This phrase usually refers to actions taken secretly or without others noticing.
If you are looking for a nudge without the full answers, consider these progressive hints:
- First Hint: Every word in today’s grid is a synonym for being secretive or dishonest in movement.
- Second Hint: Think of how a spy or a character in a heist movie might behave to avoid detection.
- Third Hint: The spangram describes the act of moving quietly and secretively in various directions.
Spangram Orientation Hint
For those struggling to find the anchor for today’s board, the spangram begins on the far-left column. Count down to the fifth letter in that column to find the starting point of the main category word.
Detailed Answer Key and Spangram
SPOILER WARNING: The following section contains the spangram and all themed words for NYT Strands #943. Only read further if you want the solution.
The spangram for today’s puzzle is SNEAKINGAROUND. It identifies the common thread between all the adjectives found in the grid.
The five non-spangram theme words are:
- SHIFTY
- COVERT
- FURTIVE
- DEVIOUS
- STEALTHY
Each of these words describes a different nuance of “on the sly” behavior, ranging from being physically quiet (stealthy) to having questionable motives (shifty and devious). According to Nerd’s Chalk, the puzzle’s layout focuses heavily on these synonyms to fill the board.
