NYT Strands Answer Today (#942) – 1 Oct 2026 Solution & Hints
- About Today’s Strands
- Today’s Theme
- General Hints
- Spangram Length
- Spangram Orientation
- Spangram First & Last Letters
- First & Last Letters of All Words
- Spangram (Click to Reveal)
- Spangram Definition (Click to Reveal)
- Sample Words (Click to Reveal)
- Full Solution (Click to Reveal)
- Definitions of All Words (Click to Reveal)
About Today’s Strands
Puzzle #942 (published 1 Oct 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: Things Fall Apart
General Hints
- Today’s theme is all about objects and structures giving way under pressure, bit by bit.
- Picture a vase sliding off a shelf, or a sandcastle meeting the tide — same idea, different scale.
- If you’ve ever watched something slowly lose its shape or give way entirely, you’ve got the vibe.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 12 letters and is two words.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram runs diagonally, touching the left and right sides of the grid.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with B and ends with R.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): B___R
Note: We always display first/last letters as X___Y with three underscores, regardless of true length.
First & Last Letters of All Words
- WORD 1: B___K
- WORD 2: C___E
- WORD 3: C___E
- WORD 4: D___E
- WORD 5: F___T
Spangram preview: B___R
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
BEYOND REPAIR
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
BEYOND REPAIR — Damaged or worn down to the point where fixing it is no longer realistic.
Example: “After the storm tore through the old greenhouse, the structure was left beyond repair.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- BREAK
- FRAGMENT
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: Things Fall Apart
Spangram: BEYOND REPAIR
All words:
- BREAK
- COLLAPSE
- CRUMBLE
- DISSOLVE
- FRAGMENT
- BEYOND REPAIR (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- BREAK — To separate suddenly into pieces as a result of force or strain.
- COLLAPSE — To fall down or inward suddenly, losing structural integrity.
- CRUMBLE — To come apart into small bits, often gradually rather than all at once.
- DISSOLVE — To gradually disappear or lose cohesion, often by merging into a liquid.
- FRAGMENT — To split into smaller, disconnected pieces; also, one such piece.
- BEYOND REPAIR — Damaged or worn down to the point where fixing it is no longer realistic.
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