Strands · No. 943 · Friday, October 2, 2026

NYT Strands #943 hints and answers

Today’s theme clue is “On the sly ...”. Hints for the theme and the spangram, one step at a time.

By DailyWordHint editors · Puzzle for Friday, October 2, 2026 · Puzzle by Tracy Bennett for The New York Times

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0 of 6 theme words found

Today’s themeOn the sly ...

Every 3 non-theme words you find earn a hint.

0 of 8 hints used

The theme5 words

NudgeReveal nudge

Adjectives a spy novel wears like a coat.

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HintReveal hint

Describing words for secretive people and quiet plans, the kind narrators use just before a betrayal.

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One wordReveal one word

One theme word: STEALTHY

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AnswerReveal answer

Theme words: COVERT, DEVIOUS, FURTIVE, SHIFTY, STEALTHY

The spangramTouches two sides

NudgeReveal nudge

Tabloids print it when the couple denies everything.

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HintReveal hint

Informal gossip-column phrase, a gerund plus a direction word; also what parents accuse teenagers of.

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One wordReveal one word

S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D (14 letters)

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AnswerReveal answer

SNEAKINGAROUND

Hints drafted with AI and checked automatically for spoilers. How we write hints