Play Strands #958
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 #958 hints
Today's official theme is "Quite the crush". 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 things people do when they are nervous or flustered around someone they really like, such as awkward actions and body reactions.
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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
This is what happens when a crush turns into real feelings, and it is a three-word phrase with no spaces that spans the board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, B, F, G, P, S.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 10 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #958 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 10 letters
- Longest theme word
- 8 letters
Strands #958 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 17, 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)
BLUSH. It starts in row 5, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
BABBLE. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
FIDGET. It starts in row 6, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
GIGGLE. It starts in row 6, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
STUMBLE. It starts in row 5, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (8 letters)
PERSPIRE. It starts in row 3, column 6, counting from the top left.
The spangram (10 letters)
FALLINLOVE. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: FALLINLOVE
Theme words: BABBLE, BLUSH, FIDGET, GIGGLE, PERSPIRE, STUMBLE
When you have a big crush, you tend to BLUSH, BABBLE, GIGGLE, FIDGET, PERSPIRE, and STUMBLE over your words or your feet. These are all signs of nerves around someone you like, and they show you are starting to FALLINLOVE.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16 | #957 | Just a little bit |
| Oct 15 | #956 | Sailor's guide |
| Oct 14 | #955 | Folk & fairy tale twosomes |
| Oct 13 | #954 | Well, this is awkward |
| Oct 12 | #953 | In a manner of speaking |
| Oct 11 | #952 | They don't make 'em like they used to |
| Oct 10 | #951 | A slow drizzle |
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 17
Strands #958 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 17, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #958 was FALLINLOVE, for the theme "Quite the crush".
What were the Strands theme words on October 17, 2026?
BABBLE, BLUSH, FIDGET, GIGGLE, PERSPIRE, STUMBLE, plus the spangram FALLINLOVE.
What did the Strands #958 clue mean?
When you have a big crush, you tend to BLUSH, BABBLE, GIGGLE, FIDGET, PERSPIRE, and STUMBLE over your words or your feet. These are all signs of nerves around someone you like, and they show you are starting to FALLINLOVE.