Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, September 20, 2026 (Puzzle #931). 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: "Putting on airs"
What It Really Means
You are hunting for words that describe conspicuous displays of pride, superiority, or self-importance.
Think About...
- Loud, inflated talk meant to impress.
- Smug reactions to success or victory.
- Showy movements and attitudes that demand attention.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: Row 1, letter 6
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The connecting answer names an exaggerated quality behind all this self-display.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think of an inflated sense of importance expressed through extravagant behavior or presentation.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is G, last letter is Y
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GRANDIOSITY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Forceful talk that sounds more imposing than it really is.
Closer: This is noisy, aggressive speech full of empty threats or exaggerated confidence.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 7 letters total
Answer
BLUSTER
Word 2
Vague: To speak proudly about an achievement or possession.
Closer: A person does this when proudly telling others about a prize, talent, or accomplishment.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BOAST
Word 3
Vague: To draw attention to your own success or ability.
Closer: This short verb often describes trumpeting a personal achievement to impress others.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 4 letters total
Answer
BRAG
Word 4
Vague: To make a conspicuous display of strength, skill, or status.
Closer: Outside the gym, this verb means showing off money, influence, clothing, or skill.
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 4 letters total
Answer
FLEX
Word 5
Vague: To take visible, smug pleasure in another person's defeat.
Closer: This means savoring success in a smug way, especially in front of the loser.
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 5 letters total
Answer
GLOAT
Word 6
Vague: To adopt an attitude chiefly for effect.
Closer: Beyond physical alignment, this verb describes striking an insincere public stance.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 7 letters total
Answer
POSTURE
Word 7
Vague: To walk with exaggerated confidence and pride.
Closer: Picture a proud, attention-seeking walk with the chest forward and steps emphasized.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
STRUT
Full Answers
Spangram: GRANDIOSITY
Theme Words:
- BLUSTER
- BOAST
- BRAG
- FLEX
- GLOAT
- POSTURE
- STRUT
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, the shared idea is clear once a few of the showier verbs emerge, but several answers overlap closely in meaning.
Trickiest Word: POSTURE is the likeliest sticking point because its familiar physical-alignment sense can distract from its meaning as an affected stance adopted for appearances.
Our Take: GRANDIOSITY neatly gathers BLUSTER, BOAST, BRAG, FLEX, GLOAT, POSTURE, and STRUT under one oversized umbrella. The list works well because it moves between speech, attitude, celebration, display, and movement while preserving the same showy impulse.
