Today's NYT Strands is live for Friday, September 11, 2026 (Puzzle #922). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Harbor view"
What It Really Means
Look for vessels, structures, and landmarks associated with a working harbor.
Think About...
- Cargo moving through a port.
- Structures linking dry land with maritime activity.
- Navigation aids and places to arrive or depart.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 15 letters
Starting Zone: Row 8, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The spangram describes where this entire scene is situated.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Picture a familiar phrase meaning along the harbor's edge, where the city meets the water.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is O, last letter is T
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ONTHEWATERFRONT
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A broad vessel designed to move heavy cargo.
Closer: Often pushed or towed through canals and rivers, this flat-bottomed carrier hauls bulky goods.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BARGE
Word 2
Vague: A structure that carries a route across an obstacle.
Closer: Cars, trains, or pedestrians cross above the channel on this spanning structure.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BRIDGE
Word 3
Vague: A designated place where vessels pull in and remain.
Closer: Crews tie up beside this fixed loading and unloading area.
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 4 letters total
Answer
DOCK
Word 4
Vague: A tall coastal landmark that helps mariners navigate safely.
Closer: Its elevated rotating beacon warns mariners about dangerous coastlines.
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 10 letters total
Answer
LIGHTHOUSE
Word 5
Vague: A raised platform extending outward from the shore.
Closer: Anglers and sightseers often stand on this narrow structure projecting over the water.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
PIER
Word 6
Vague: A large vessel built for travel at sea.
Closer: This ocean-going craft transports passengers or cargo between ports.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SHIP
Full Answers
Spangram: ONTHEWATERFRONT
Theme Words:
- BARGE
- BRIDGE
- DOCK
- LIGHTHOUSE
- PIER
- SHIP
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, with familiar harbor vocabulary offset by several words that have competing everyday senses.
Trickiest Word: BRIDGE is the trickiest word because it can indicate either a crossing structure or the command area aboard a vessel.
Our Take: ON THE WATERFRONT neatly gathers BARGE, BRIDGE, DOCK, LIGHTHOUSE, PIER, and SHIP into one coherent harbor scene. The mix of vessels, structures, and a navigation landmark gives the grid useful variety without stretching the theme.
