I had barely stirred my morning coffee when today's Strands clue, "None of your beeswax!", made me smile. It has the unmistakable ring of a playground comeback, although I've heard plenty of grown-ups deliver it with just as much feeling. My first instinct was to take the wording literally, which is often where this puzzle gets the better of me.
Once I'd put my mug down and given the grid a proper look, I started thinking about when someone might actually say it. That's a gentler way into today's theme than chasing individual letters straight away. If you're still finding your footing, let the attitude behind the clue do a little of the work.
This page covers NYT Strands #1158 for Friday, October 23, 2026. You will find the theme clue, a spoiler free hint, a stronger hint, the spangram and every theme word, in that order. Scroll slowly and stop where you like.
Today's Strands theme
The official clue for Friday, October 23, 2026 is "None of your beeswax!". There are 5 theme words to find plus the spangram, which always touches two opposite sides of the board.
Spoiler free hints
- The spangram has 8 letters and begins with the letter B.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 13.
- The theme words start with these letters: E, I, N, P, S.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| E | 13 letters | Ea... |
| I | 11 letters | In... |
| N | 4 letters | No... |
| P | 6 letters | Pr... |
| S | 6 letters | Sn... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1158 is BUSYBODY.
All NYT Strands answers for October 23, 2026
- EAVESDROPPING (13 letters)
- INQUISITIVE (11 letters)
- NOSY (4 letters)
- PRYING (6 letters)
- SNOOPY (6 letters)
Spangram: BUSYBODY. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Treat the clue as something said in a conversation, rather than a reference to what bees produce. Ask yourself what behaviour might prompt that response, then look for related vocabulary in the grid. Try adjective endings such as Y and IVE, alongside the longer ING ending, and trace backwards to see whether a complete word forms. Remember that paths can turn sharply and travel diagonally. Once you've secured a shorter entry, use the space it frees up to untangle longer routes, keeping the unused letters in view.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Friday, October 23, 2026, puzzle #1158, is BUSYBODY. It spans the board from one side to the opposite side.
How many theme words are in today's Strands?
There are 5 theme words today, plus the spangram.
How do you earn hints in Strands?
Find any valid non theme word of at least four letters. Every three of those unlocks one hint, which highlights the letters of a theme word without ordering them for you.
What time does a new Strands puzzle appear?
A new puzzle goes live at midnight in your local time zone, so this page is updated every morning with the new board.
Sources
- NYT Games, Strands puzzle #1158 for Friday, October 23, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
