The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for September 12, 2026 challenges players with a theme centered on relaxation and letting go. Today’s word-search game features interconnected letters that form answers related to not being overly concerned or bothered by things. Players who understand the concept of taking life easy should find this edition more approachable than usual.
Strands differentiates itself from other word games by requiring solvers to connect adjacent letters in various directions—horizontally, vertically, and diagonally—while allowing words to change direction mid-path. Every letter in the grid must be used as part of an answer. The puzzle’s unifying element is the “spangram,” a special phrase that encapsulates the day’s theme and runs continuously across the grid in either direction.
Today’s spangram is “Let it go,” which runs horizontally. The complete word list for this puzzle includes: free, detach, release, disengage, unloose, and liberate. These six terms, along with the spangram, all reinforce the overarching message about relinquishing worry and embracing indifference. Players typically invest 10 or more minutes solving Strands, making it a more time-intensive experience compared to other New York Times games.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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