NYT Strands Answer Today (#954) – 13 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 #954 (published October 13, 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: Well, this is awkward
General Hints
- Several of today’s words describe the sinking feeling of wishing you could disappear after a blunder.
- One word is what a parent might say their teenager does to them on purpose at the dinner table.
- Another word describes being so caught off guard that you’re momentarily at a loss for words.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 12 letters and is one word.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram runs horizontal, touching the left and right sides of the grid.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with C and ends with Y.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): C___Y
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: A___L
- Word 2: C___N
- Word 3: E___S
- Word 4: M___Y
- Word 5: N___S
Spangram preview: C___Y
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
CRINGEWORTHY
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
CRINGEWORTHY — causing a feeling of secondhand embarrassment or discomfort just from witnessing it.
Example: “His toast at the wedding was so cringeworthy that half the room couldn’t make eye contact.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- CHAGRIN
- MORTIFY
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: Well, this is awkward
Spangram: CRINGEWORTHY
All words:
- APPALL
- CHAGRIN
- EMBARRASS
- MORTIFY
- NONPLUS
- CRINGEWORTHY (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- APPALL — to fill someone with shock or dismay.
- CHAGRIN — a feeling of annoyance or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated.
- EMBARRASS — to make someone feel self-conscious or awkward.
- MORTIFY — to cause someone intense humiliation.
- NONPLUS — to leave someone so surprised or confused they don’t know how to react.
- CRINGEWORTHY — causing a feeling of secondhand embarrassment or discomfort just from witnessing it.
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