The answer to today’s NYT Strands puzzle (#931) is here. The theme and spangram are below, with hints first if you want one final push.
Strands resets every day at midnight ET. The board is a six-by-eight letter grid hiding a hidden theme. Your job is to find all the theme words plus the spangram – a word that spans the full grid from edge to edge and contains the theme itself.
Hints for NYT Strands #931 – September 20, 2026
- Today’s theme involves showing off or thinking highly of yourself.
- The spangram is a ten-letter word for an inflated sense of self-importance.
- The strand words are all verbs – things you do when you want people to notice you.
NYT Strands Theme – September 20, 2026
Theme: “Putting on airs”
Spangram: GRANDIOSITY
All Strand Words
GLOAT, STRUT, BRAG, BLUSTER, FLEX, POSTURE, BOAST
Today’s puzzle was well-constructed around a single behavioural thread – every strand word is a verb meaning to show off or self-promote. BLUSTER is the trickiest find, since its meaning straddles bragging and aggressive noise-making. FLEX is the most contemporary of the set, carrying the social media sense of displaying wealth or status.
GRANDIOSITY as the spangram is a strong choice: it names the psychological trait these verbs all express, and its ten letters give the grid a natural spine.
Yesterday’s Strands (#930) had the theme “Island nation capitals.” If you play the full NYT morning set, NYT Connections and Wordle are already up for today, as is the NYT Mini Crossword. Play today’s puzzle at the NYT Strands page.
