Play Strands #923
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #923 hints
Today's official theme is "Don't obsess". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
-
What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for words that mean to unfasten, set loose, or stop holding on to something or someone.
Was this hint -
How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
Was this hint -
A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
It's a phrase you might say, or sing along to in a famous animated movie, when you finally stop clinging and move on.
Was this hint -
How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: D, D, F, L, R, U.
Was this hint -
How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 7 letters and runs from left to right.
Was this hint
Strands #923 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 7 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #923 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for September 12, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
FREE. It starts in row 5, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
DETACH. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (7 letters)
RELEASE. It starts in row 3, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
UNLOOSE. It starts in row 7, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (8 letters)
LIBERATE. It starts in row 1, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (9 letters)
DISENGAGE. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
The spangram (7 letters)
LETITGO. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: LETITGO
Theme words: DETACH, DISENGAGE, FREE, LIBERATE, RELEASE, UNLOOSE
The clue 'Don't obsess' points to the idea of no longer clinging to something, which is exactly what LETITGO means. The theme words DETACH, DISENGAGE, FREE, LIBERATE, RELEASE, and UNLOOSE are all different ways of loosening your grip or setting something loose.
What does UNLOOSE mean?
An uncommon verb meaning to set free or let go of something that was tied, held, or restrained. It means the same as 'loosen' or 'unleash', which fits the theme of letting go of an obsession.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 | #922 | Harbor view |
| Sep 10 | #921 | Victory lap |
| Sep 9 | #920 | Over and out(side) |
| Sep 8 | #919 | It's elementary! |
| Sep 7 | #918 | It's a deal! |
| Sep 6 | #917 | I've seen better |
| Sep 5 | #916 | Informally known as |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Sep 12
Strands #923 questions
What was the Strands spangram on September 12, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #923 was LETITGO, for the theme "Don't obsess".
What were the Strands theme words on September 12, 2026?
DETACH, DISENGAGE, FREE, LIBERATE, RELEASE, UNLOOSE, plus the spangram LETITGO.
What did the Strands #923 clue mean?
The clue 'Don't obsess' points to the idea of no longer clinging to something, which is exactly what LETITGO means. The theme words DETACH, DISENGAGE, FREE, LIBERATE, RELEASE, and UNLOOSE are all different ways of loosening your grip or setting something loose.