Introduction
Here’s your NYT Strands hint for today, plus the spangram and all of today’s Strands answers for puzzle No. 958 on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
Today’s Strands theme was tricky. Read on for all the answers.
Today's Puzzle Hint
Today’s Strands theme is “Quite the crush.”
And here’s a hint: My sweetheart.
Unlocking In-Game Hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
• FELL, MELL, SIPS, HILL, MUST, BUGS, BALE, SHIP, BIDE
Full Puzzle Answers
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight, but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
• BLUSH, BABBLE, FIDGET, GIGGLE, STUMBLE, PERSPIRE
Today's Spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is FALLINLOVE. To find it, start with the F that’s the first letter on the top row, and wind down.
