NYT Strands #931 answer & hints: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Updated: Sunday, September 20, 2026 · Hints reviewed by Omer Liban · New puzzle daily at midnight US Eastern Time (5am UK). · Puzzle editor: Tracy Bennett.

This page has every level of help for the NYT Strands puzzle #931 of Sunday, September 20, 2026: 2 spoiler-free hint tiers that narrow things down step by step, followed by the complete answers with explanations — each behind its own tap-to-reveal card.

Today's Strands theme got you stuck? Start with the theme explainer, then reveal first letters, the spangram, and finally the full solution.

Strands is a themed word search: find the theme words hidden in the letter grid, plus the spangram — a special answer that touches two opposite sides of the board and names the theme. Every letter gets used exactly once.

Strands hints (September 20, 2026)

1Understanding the theme

The official clue is “Putting on airs”. There are 7 theme words plus the spangram.

2First letters of the theme words

B, B, B, F, G, P, S

Strands answers — September 20, 2026 (#931)

★The spangram

GRANDIOSITY (11 letters).

★All of today's Strands answers

Spangram: GRANDIOSITY
Theme words: BLUSTER, BOAST, BRAG, FLEX, GLOAT, POSTURE, STRUT

The puzzle, explained

"GRANDIOSITY" nails the theme of putting on airs because it's the ultimate word for exaggerated self-importance—that inflated sense of your own greatness that makes you want to show off. All seven theme words are basically different flavors of the same annoying behavior: whether you're blustering your way through a conversation, boasting about your accomplishments, bragging to anyone who'll listen, flexing your muscles (literal or metaphorical), gloating over a win, posturing to look cool, or strutting around like you own the place, you're all doing the same thing—demanding attention for yourself. The trickiest one is probably "POSTURE," since it can mean literally standing a certain way, but in this context it's about the attitude you're striking, the false front you're putting on to impress people.

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Strands — common questions

What is a spangram in Strands?

The spangram is the special theme word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the board. It describes the puzzle's theme and always exists in every Strands puzzle.

How do I earn hints in Strands itself?

Finding three non-theme words in the grid earns one in-game hint, which highlights the letters of a theme word.

Can theme words overlap in Strands?

No — every letter in the grid is used exactly once across the theme words and spangram, which is a powerful deduction tool late in the puzzle.

Previous Strands puzzles

Full Strands archive (137 puzzles) → · How to play Strands (spangram tactics) →