Play Strands #929
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 #929 hints
Today's official theme is "Shake on it". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for words that name formal promises or understandings between two or more parties, like the ones people or nations sign.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 5 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a classic game show catchphrase a host might say when offering a contestant a chance to trade for what's behind a curtain or in a box.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: A, C, C, P, T.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 13 letters and runs from top to bottom.
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Strands #929 in numbers
- Theme words
- 5
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 13 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #929 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for September 18, 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)
PACT. It starts in row 3, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
TREATY. It starts in row 2, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (8 letters)
CONTRACT. It starts in row 6, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (8 letters)
COVENANT. It starts in row 3, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (9 letters)
AGREEMENT. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
The spangram (13 letters)
LETSMAKEADEAL. It starts in row 1, column 2, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: LETSMAKEADEAL
Theme words: AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT, PACT, TREATY
Shaking hands is the traditional way to seal a bargain, so the clue points to words for formal arrangements like AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT, PACT, and TREATY. The spangram LETSMAKEADEAL is the invitation to strike such a bargain in the first place.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 17 | #928 | A little comic relief |
| Sep 16 | #927 | Hard not to notice |
| 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 |
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 18
Strands #929 questions
What was the Strands spangram on September 18, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #929 was LETSMAKEADEAL, for the theme "Shake on it".
What were the Strands theme words on September 18, 2026?
AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT, PACT, TREATY, plus the spangram LETSMAKEADEAL.
What did the Strands #929 clue mean?
Shaking hands is the traditional way to seal a bargain, so the clue points to words for formal arrangements like AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT, PACT, and TREATY. The spangram LETSMAKEADEAL is the invitation to strike such a bargain in the first place.