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Yesterday's Strands Answers: October 9, 2026 · #950

Missed yesterday's puzzle? NYT Strands hints and answers for October 9, 2026 (#950): the spangram's shape, word patterns, then every theme word.

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Strands hints and answers for October 9, 2026

Spoiler warning: hints come first. The answers are further down, behind a reveal you have to tap.

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Hints

  1. The spangram has 12 letters, starts with U and ends with E. It names the theme.
  2. There are 5 theme words; the longest is 10 letters, the shortest 5.
  3. Word patterns: B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ _N _ _ _ _ _ _ _R _ _ _ _ _ _
  4. Spangram pattern: U N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The spangram runs from one side of the board to the opposite side, and once you have it the theme words usually make sense. If it won't come, find one theme word first: its shape on the board often points the way.

Show one theme word

HOOEY is one of the theme words.

Reveal the Strands answers

Spangram: UNBELIEVABLE

  • BALDERDASH
  • DRIVEL: a worthless message
  • HOOEY: senseless talk
  • NONSENSE: a message that seems to convey no meaning
  • RUBBISH: worthless material that is to be disposed of

Strands #950, edited by Tracy Bennett. Practise finding hidden words with Word Search.

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Strands is a New York Times game. We're not affiliated with the Times; the hints are our own, and answers sit behind a reveal so you take as much or as little help as you want.