Play Strands #963
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 #963 hints
Today's official theme is "Any relation?". 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 describe people you are related to, whether they came before you, come after you, or are simply part of the same group.
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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 the bonds that connect relatives to one another, and remember the phrase is two words run together and covers the whole theme.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: A, B, B, K, O.
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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 top to bottom.
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Strands #963 in numbers
- Theme words
- 5
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 10 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #963 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 22, 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)
BLOOD. It starts in row 5, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (7 letters)
KINFOLK. It starts in row 2, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (8 letters)
BRETHREN. It starts in row 6, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (9 letters)
ANCESTORS. It starts in row 8, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (9 letters)
OFFSPRING. It starts in row 7, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (10 letters)
FAMILYTIES. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: FAMILYTIES
Theme words: ANCESTORS, BLOOD, BRETHREN, KINFOLK, OFFSPRING
The clue 'Any relation?' points to words for relatives, and FAMILYTIES names the bonds that link them. ANCESTORS, BLOOD, BRETHREN, KINFOLK and OFFSPRING each describe family connections in a different way.
What does BRETHREN mean?
An old-fashioned or formal plural word for brothers, often used for fellow members of a religious group or community. It fits the theme as a word for people connected to you like family.
What does KINFOLK mean?
A casual, somewhat old-fashioned word for relatives or family members, especially in the American South. It fits the theme as a plain way of saying your relations.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 21 | #962 | On a higher level |
| Oct 20 | #961 | 🦆🦆 ... 🪿 |
| Oct 19 | #960 | It's all Greek to me |
| Oct 18 | #959 | Fast fashion |
| Oct 17 | #958 | Quite the crush |
| Oct 16 | #957 | Just a little bit |
| Oct 15 | #956 | Sailor's guide |
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 22
Strands #963 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 22, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #963 was FAMILYTIES, for the theme "Any relation?".
What were the Strands theme words on October 22, 2026?
ANCESTORS, BLOOD, BRETHREN, KINFOLK, OFFSPRING, plus the spangram FAMILYTIES.
What did the Strands #963 clue mean?
The clue 'Any relation?' points to words for relatives, and FAMILYTIES names the bonds that link them. ANCESTORS, BLOOD, BRETHREN, KINFOLK and OFFSPRING each describe family connections in a different way.