Play Strands #946
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 #946 hints
Today's official theme is "Oh well, too bad, such a shame". 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 and short expressions people say when they want to show disappointment or offer a bit of sympathy over something that went wrong.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a comical brass instrument sound effect, often played in cartoons and game shows, that signals a letdown, and it spans the whole board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: A, B, B, S, S, U.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 11 letters and runs from bottom to top.
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Strands #946 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 11 letters
- Longest theme word
- 11 letters
Strands #946 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 5, 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)
ALAS. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
SORRY. It starts in row 4, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
SUCKS. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
BOOHOO. It starts in row 6, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
BUMMER. It starts in row 1, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (11 letters)
UNFORTUNATE. It starts in row 6, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (11 letters)
SADTROMBONE. It starts in row 8, column 3, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: SADTROMBONE
Theme words: ALAS, BOOHOO, BUMMER, SORRY, SUCKS, UNFORTUNATE
The clue 'Oh well, too bad, such a shame' describes expressions of disappointment, like ALAS, BOOHOO, BUMMER, SORRY, SUCKS, and UNFORTUNATE. The spangram SADTROMBONE is the classic 'wah-wah-wah-wahhh' sound effect that musically sums up the same feeling.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 4 | #945 | Grab your tokens |
| Oct 3 | #944 | A figment of your imagination |
| Oct 2 | #943 | On the sly ... |
| Oct 1 | #942 | Things fall apart |
| Sep 30 | #941 | An instrumental destination |
| Sep 29 | #940 | Have a heart |
| Sep 28 | #939 | A form of art |
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 Oct 5
Strands #946 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 5, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #946 was SADTROMBONE, for the theme "Oh well, too bad, such a shame".
What were the Strands theme words on October 5, 2026?
ALAS, BOOHOO, BUMMER, SORRY, SUCKS, UNFORTUNATE, plus the spangram SADTROMBONE.
What did the Strands #946 clue mean?
The clue 'Oh well, too bad, such a shame' describes expressions of disappointment, like ALAS, BOOHOO, BUMMER, SORRY, SUCKS, and UNFORTUNATE. The spangram SADTROMBONE is the classic 'wah-wah-wah-wahhh' sound effect that musically sums up the same feeling.