Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Friday, October 2, 2026
Friday's Strands board keeps its head down: five theme words for doing things secretly or dishonestly, plus a 14-letter spangram that names the whole behaviour. The NYT clue says it plainly: on the sly.
Hints, in order
Hint 0 of 3Tap to show one hint at a time.
Hint 1 of 3
Think of behaviour done in secret: hidden, underhand, hard to watch and harder to trust.
Hint 2 of 3
Every theme word describes secretive or sly conduct: hidden operations, dishonest routes, glances stolen in secret, evasive characters, and movement that makes no sound.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram is two words pushed together, 14 letters: SNEAKING AROUND, which is exactly what every theme word describes.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all five theme words.
SPANGRAM
SNEAKINGAROUND
COVERTTheme word
DEVIOUSTheme word
FURTIVETheme word
SHIFTYTheme word
STEALTHYTheme word
Next on the board
NYT Mini Crossword →
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