Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, September 26, 2026 (Puzzle #937). 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: "A breath of fresh air"
What It Really Means
The prompt points to words for air in motion, from barely felt movement to a sudden burst.
Think About...
- Air that lightly stirs the leaves.
- A sudden push against your umbrella.
- A passing trace you notice for just a moment.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Row 8, letter 6
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of something you feel on your face outdoors on a mild day.
Hint 2 (Warmer): The spanning phrase describes moving air at its softest.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is G, last letter is D
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GENTLEWIND
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A light movement you might welcome on a warm day.
Closer: It rustles leaves without making you hold onto your hat.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BREEZE
Word 2
Vague: A flow that keeps going in one direction.
Closer: The same noun describes a river's flow and a stream of air.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
CURRENT
Word 3
Vague: A brief spell when things come thick and fast.
Closer: Snow can fall in one of these short, busy spells.
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 6 letters total
Answer
FLURRY
Word 4
Vague: A sudden, forceful push of air.
Closer: One can turn an umbrella inside out without warning.
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 4 letters total
Answer
GUST
Word 5
Vague: One small burst of breath.
Closer: It's the little burst you blow to extinguish a candle.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
PUFF
Word 6
Vague: A faint trace that passes quickly.
Closer: You might catch one of perfume as someone walks past.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 5 letters total
Answer
WHIFF
Word 7
Vague: A soft movement of air with a poetic name.
Closer: This literary name for a mild west wind comes from Greek mythology.
Letter Clue: Starts with Z, 6 letters total
Answer
ZEPHYR
Full Answers
Spangram: GENTLEWIND
Theme Words:
- BREEZE
- CURRENT
- FLURRY
- GUST
- PUFF
- WHIFF
- ZEPHYR
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, with one literary term among the familiar words.
Trickiest Word: ZEPHYR is the likeliest sticking point because it is a literary word for a mild west wind, while the other answers use more familiar language.
Our Take: The prompt sets up a broad search for moving air, and GENTLEWIND gives the list its soft center. BREEZE and PUFF sit close to that idea, while GUST adds force and CURRENT describes a sustained flow. ZEPHYR gives the finish a literary touch.
