Play Strands #927
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 #927 hints
Today's official theme is "Hard not to notice". 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 adjectives describing things that grab your attention because they are full of color, energy, or flair.
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
Think of a two-part phrase for something that pulls your gaze right toward it, and it spans the whole board.
Was this hint -
How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, F, J, S, V, V.
Was this hint -
How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 11 letters and runs from top to bottom.
Was this hint
Strands #927 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 11 letters
- Longest theme word
- 8 letters
Strands #927 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for September 16, 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 (5 letters)
JAZZY. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
VIVID. It starts in row 3, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
BRIGHT. It starts in row 6, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
FLASHY. It starts in row 2, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
VIBRANT. It starts in row 4, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (8 letters)
STRIKING. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
The spangram (11 letters)
EYECATCHING. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: EYECATCHING
Theme words: BRIGHT, FLASHY, JAZZY, STRIKING, VIBRANT, VIVID
The clue 'Hard not to notice' describes anything that grabs attention, which is exactly what EYECATCHING means. The theme words BRIGHT, FLASHY, JAZZY, STRIKING, VIBRANT, and VIVID are all synonyms for that kind of attention-grabbing quality.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 15 | #926 | If you build it |
| Sep 14 | #925 | OH MY GOSH!! |
| Sep 13 | #924 | Top secret |
| Sep 12 | #923 | Don't obsess |
| Sep 11 | #922 | Harbor view |
| Sep 10 | #921 | Victory lap |
| Sep 9 | #920 | Over and out(side) |
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 16
Strands #927 questions
What was the Strands spangram on September 16, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #927 was EYECATCHING, for the theme "Hard not to notice".
What were the Strands theme words on September 16, 2026?
BRIGHT, FLASHY, JAZZY, STRIKING, VIBRANT, VIVID, plus the spangram EYECATCHING.
What did the Strands #927 clue mean?
The clue 'Hard not to notice' describes anything that grabs attention, which is exactly what EYECATCHING means. The theme words BRIGHT, FLASHY, JAZZY, STRIKING, VIBRANT, and VIVID are all synonyms for that kind of attention-grabbing quality.