NYT Strands #968 answer & hints: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 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 #968 of Tuesday, October 27, 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 (October 27, 2026)

1Understanding the theme

The official clue is “Who ya gonna call?”. There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.

2First letters of the theme words

A, C, M, R, T, T

Strands answers — October 27, 2026 (#968)

★The spangram

EXTERMINATOR (12 letters).

★All of today's Strands answers

Spangram: EXTERMINATOR
Theme words: ANTS, COCKROACHES, MICE, RATS, TERMITES, TICKS

The puzzle, explained

"Who ya gonna call?" is all about those unwanted houseguests that drive you straight to your phone, and EXTERMINATOR nails it as the spangram since that's literally the professional you're dialing when critters invade. The theme words are basically the usual suspects—ANTS, COCKROACHES, MICE, RATS, and TERMITES are all classic pest problems that make your skin crawl. TICKS is probably the least obvious one since we usually think of them as outdoor nuisances rather than household invaders, but they're definitely unwelcome visitors that need professional removal, which ties the whole puzzle together nicely.

Next in today's routine: Spelling Bee → · every game's answers on one page. New puzzle daily at midnight US Eastern Time (5am UK). Bookmark this page for tomorrow's hints. Or play Strands on the official site.

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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 (185 puzzles) → · How to play Strands (spangram tactics) →