NYT Strands Answer Today (#943) – 2 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 #943 (published October 2, 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: On the sly
General Hints
- This grid’s vocabulary could double as a cat burglar’s résumé.
- Think of the words a detective might use to describe a suspect who won’t make eye contact.
- Several answers here are near-synonyms for “up to something.”
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 14 letters and is two words.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram does not run in one straight line from edge to edge. Instead it winds through the grid in a zigzag, folding back on itself before finishing — both its start and its end sit on the left-hand side of the board.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with S and ends with D.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): S___D
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: S___Y
- Word 2: C___T
- Word 3: D___S
- Word 4: S___Y
- Word 5: F___E
Spangram preview: S___D
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
SNEAKING AROUND
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
SNEAKING AROUND — moving or behaving in a secretive way, usually to avoid being seen or caught doing something.
Example: “The cat was sneaking around the kitchen counter, waiting for everyone to leave the room.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- COVERT
- FURTIVE
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: On the sly
Spangram: SNEAKING AROUND
All words:
- SHIFTY
- COVERT
- DEVIOUS
- STEALTHY
- FURTIVE
- SNEAKING AROUND (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- SHIFTY — having an evasive, untrustworthy manner, as if hiding something.
- COVERT — carried out secretly, without being noticed by others.
- DEVIOUS — clever in using underhanded or dishonest methods to get what you want.
- STEALTHY — moving or acting in a way that’s designed to avoid detection.
- FURTIVE — done quickly and secretively, often out of guilt or caution.
- SNEAKING AROUND — moving or behaving secretly, usually to avoid being seen or caught doing something.
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