TodayHint

Strands September 20, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1120)

Constructed by Tracy Bennett, edited by Tracy Bennett.

Recap

This puzzle's theme involved behaviors that show false pride or pretending to be more impressive. Solvers found seven theme words and a spangram that described a quality of being overly proud.

The official theme clue

Putting on airs

Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.

Strands hints, one rung at a time

Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

  1. What the theme was getting at

    A reading of the theme. No answers.

    The theme is about behaviors that involve pretending to be more impressive or important than one really is, often to impress others or hide insecurities.

  2. The category, said plainly

    The same idea, unhedged.

    Category: behaviors that show false pride

  3. Board facts: how many words, how long

    Counted off the grid.

    The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 7 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 11 letters long.

    Theme word 1
    4 letters
    Theme word 2
    5 letters
    Theme word 3
    4 letters
    Theme word 4
    7 letters
    Theme word 5
    5 letters
    Theme word 6
    5 letters
    Theme word 7
    7 letters
    Spangram
    11 letters, side to side
    Jump to the letter board
  4. One clue per word, easiest first

    Crossword-style.

    Theme word 1 (4 letters)

    Show off physical strength or ability

    Theme word 2 (5 letters)

    Talk with excessive pride about something

    Theme word 3 (4 letters)

    Engage in boastful and exaggerated talk

    Theme word 4 (7 letters)

    Intimidate or impress with loud confident talk

    Theme word 5 (5 letters)

    Take pleasure in someone else's misfortune

    Theme word 6 (5 letters)

    Walk with a proud and confident air

    Theme word 7 (7 letters)

    Adopt a certain attitude or appearance to impress

  5. First two letters of every theme word

    Enough to start tracing.

    Theme word 1
    FL… (4 letters)
    Theme word 2
    BO… (5 letters)
    Theme word 3
    BR… (4 letters)
    Theme word 4
    BL… (7 letters)
    Theme word 5
    GL… (5 letters)
    Theme word 6
    ST… (5 letters)
    Theme word 7
    PO… (7 letters)
  6. What the spangram meant

    The long one that tied the board together.

    A quality of being overly proud and showy in a way that is not sincere

    It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.

    Open the full answers

The starting letter board

The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.

TAUTRG
OBRTAN
LRGSDB
GSAISL
IXOTEU
TFEOPR
YTLTSE
SAOBUR

Every Strands answer and the spangram

Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.

  • Theme word 1 · 7 letters

    BLUSTER

    BLUSTER fits the theme as it describes using loud talk to pretend to be more confident or powerful

  • Theme word 2 · 5 letters

    BOAST

    BOAST fits the theme as it involves talking with excessive pride about one's achievements or possessions

  • Theme word 3 · 4 letters

    BRAG

    BRAG fits the theme as it is a form of boastful talk, often about one's accomplishments

  • Theme word 4 · 4 letters

    FLEX

    FLEX fits the theme as it involves showing off one's physical strength or ability

  • Theme word 5 · 5 letters

    GLOAT

    GLOAT fits the theme as it involves taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune, often with a sense of superiority

  • Theme word 6 · 7 letters

    POSTURE

    POSTURE fits the theme as it involves adopting a certain attitude or appearance to impress others

  • Theme word 7 · 5 letters

    STRUT

    STRUT fits the theme as it describes walking with a proud and confident air, often to impress others

  • Spangram · 11 letters, side to side

    GRANDIOSITY

    GRANDIOSITY fits the theme as it describes a quality of being overly proud and showy in a way that is not sincere

This puzzle by the numbers

Puzzle
(#1120) · Sunday, September 20, 2026
Theme answers
7 plus the spangram
Board
6 × 8 letters
Answer lengths
4–7 letters
Spangram
11 letters, side to side
Difficulty
medium for a weekday board
Valid non-theme words
1081 accepted for hints

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