NYT Strands Answer Today (#958) – 17 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 #958 (published Saturday, 17 October 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: “Quite the crush”
General Hints
- Being around your crush can turn even simple conversation into a nervous jumble.
- Your body sometimes reacts to attraction before your brain catches up — cheeks warm, palms damp, words trip over themselves.
- This puzzle’s grid captures those classic flustered reactions you get when someone catches your eye.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 10 letters and spells out a short, three-word phrase.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram runs horizontal, touching the left and right sides of the grid along the top row.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with F and ends with E.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): F___E
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___E
- WORD 2: B___H
- WORD 3: F___T
- WORD 4: G___E
- WORD 5: P___E
- WORD 6: S___E
Spangram preview: F___E
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
FALL IN LOVE
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
FALL IN LOVE — to begin feeling a deep romantic affection and attraction toward someone.
Example: “They locked eyes across the crowded room and both knew they were about to fall in love.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- BLUSH
- GIGGLE
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: “Quite the crush”
Spangram: FALL IN LOVE
All words:
- BABBLE
- BLUSH
- FIDGET
- GIGGLE
- PERSPIRE
- STUMBLE
- FALL IN LOVE (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- BABBLE — to talk quickly and without much sense, often out of nervousness or excitement.
- BLUSH — to have your cheeks turn pink or red, usually from embarrassment or attraction.
- FIDGET — to make small restless movements, like tapping or shifting, out of nervous energy.
- GIGGLE — to laugh in a light, somewhat uncontrolled way, often when nervous or amused.
- PERSPIRE — to sweat, sometimes brought on by nerves rather than heat.
- STUMBLE — to trip or falter, whether physically or over your own words.
- FALL IN LOVE — to begin feeling a deep romantic affection and attraction toward someone.
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