Need help with NYT Strands #942 for October 1, 2026? The theme is “Things fall apart.” Start with the gentle clues below, then reveal the spangram and full answer set only if you want them.
Theme hint for Strands #942
The theme wording is “Things fall apart.” Think of words for breaking down, coming apart, or no longer holding together.
Clue words for in-game hints
Find these words on the board to earn the puzzle’s in-game hints:
- OBEY
- CRUEL
- CORN
- SLAP
- REAL
- MATES
Spangram hint
The spangram has 12 letters. It begins on the left side of the board at row 3 and ends on the right side at row 8.
Spoiler warning: The answers are below.
Full answers for NYT Strands #942
- BREAK
- CRUMBLE
- COLLAPSE
- DISSOLVE
- FRAGMENT
- Spangram: BEYONDREPAIR
TechRadar’s October 1 guide lists these answers and reports the theme and clue sequence. A separate puzzle-record page also records five theme answers and one spangram for this puzzle; it is secondary puzzle-record evidence, not an official NYT record.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the date may differ by location
TechRadar notes that Strands appears at midnight in each time zone, so “today’s” puzzle can differ depending on where you are. Its September 30, 2026 guide labels this as Thursday, October 1, game #942. If your local date has not reached October 1, the puzzle may not yet match these answers.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
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