I nearly let my coffee go cold over today's Strands, which is usually a sign that a tiny clue has sent me down a very long mental corridor. "It's back!" sounds simple enough, but I found myself weighing up everything from returning TV programmes to something I'd finally rediscovered at the bottom of a drawer.
My advice for this one is to enjoy that moment of uncertainty rather than rush past it. There is a satisfying little click when the clue starts making sense, and the grid becomes much friendlier after that. If your first idea refuses to produce a word, put it aside and try another interpretation.
This page covers NYT Strands #1121 for Monday, September 21, 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 Monday, September 21, 2026 is "It's back!". 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 13 letters and begins with the letter N.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 10.
- The theme words start with these letters: G, L, N, S, T.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| G | 6 letters | Gr... |
| L | 5 letters | Ly... |
| N | 4 letters | Ne... |
| S | 10 letters | Sc... |
| T | 10 letters | Tr... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1121 is NINETIESTREND.
All NYT Strands answers for September 21, 2026
- GRUNGE (6 letters)
- LYCRA (5 letters)
- NEON (4 letters)
- SCRUNCHIES (10 letters)
- TRACKSUITS (10 letters)
Spangram: NINETIESTREND. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Treat the clue as a reference to a comeback rather than assuming it describes a direction in the grid. Test a few possible categories, looking for complete words formed by touching letters, including diagonals. Once you find a plausible theme word, use it to narrow your search before chasing the spangram. Remember that the spangram connects opposite sides and can bend along the way. If you get stuck, finding three valid words outside the theme earns a hint, which can be more useful than repeatedly testing the same uncertain route.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Monday, September 21, 2026, puzzle #1121, is NINETIESTREND. 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 #1121 for Monday, September 21, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Christina Iverson.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
