Today's Strands clue is "Putting on airs". Use the hints below to find the theme words and the spangram.
TAUTRGOBRTANLRGSDBGSAISLIXOTEUTFEOPRYTLTSESAOBUR
Theme nudge: What to look for
Look for words about acting extra confident, showy, and a little full of themselves.
Hint 1: How many words to find
There are 7 theme words plus one spangram.
Hint 2: The spangram
The spangram has 11 letters, starts with G, and runs from one side of the board to the other.
Hint 3: Theme word lengths and first letters
- 7 letters, starts with B
- 5 letters, starts with B
- 4 letters, starts with B
- 4 letters, starts with F
- 5 letters, starts with G
- 7 letters, starts with P
- 5 letters, starts with S
Show the spangram
GRANDIOSITY
Show all theme words
BLUSTER, BOAST, BRAG, FLEX, GLOAT, POSTURE, STRUT
About this puzzle
- Made by Tracy Bennett
- Edited by Tracy Bennett
Strands deep dive
More about today's puzzle. Everything in this section can include the answer.
The solved board
TAUTRGOBRTANLRGSDBGSAISLIXOTEUTFEOPRYTLTSESAOBUR
Gold squares are the spangram, green squares are theme words.
What the theme words mean
- BLUSTER: To speak or protest loudly.
- BOAST: (intransitive) To brag; to talk loudly in praise of oneself.
- BRAG: (intransitive, often with of) To boast; to talk with excessive pride about what one has, is able to do, or has done; ...
- FLEX: (uncountable) Flexibility, pliancy.
- GLOAT: To exhibit a conspicuous (sometimes malevolent) pleasure or sense of self-satisfaction, often at an adversary's misfo...
- POSTURE: The way a person holds and positions their body.
- STRUT: (intransitive, by extension, also figuratively) To walk haughtily or proudly with one's head held high.
Play today's Strands at The New York Times
More hints for September 20, 2026
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