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NYT Strands #948 for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, has the theme “Color for the cure.” Start with the hints below and scroll to the final section for the complete answer reveal.
Strands refreshes at midnight in each time zone, so “today’s” puzzle can differ by location. If your board does not match these clues, you may be on a different date’s game.
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Theme hint
The theme is “Color for the cure.” TechRadar explains it as a reference to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the “Wear it pink” campaign. That is the publisher’s interpretation of the theme.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Clue words to earn in-game hints
Try these non-theme words if you want to reveal an in-game hint before seeing the answers: KING, FLIP, BARGE, LINKS, SOCK, and BULK. In Strands, finding three valid non-theme words of at least four letters earns a hint that highlights the letters of an unsolved theme word.
#1 Best Overall
Spangram hint
The spangram has 11 letters. It starts at the right edge in row 8 and reaches the opposite, left edge in row 3.
How the Strands board works
The board is a 6-by-8 grid of 48 letters. Words may move through adjacent horizontal, vertical, or diagonal cells. The spangram captures the theme and touches two opposite edges.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Full answer reveal
Spoiler warning: The complete theme-word list and spangram are below.
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- BUBBLEGUM
- BARBIE
- SHOCKING
- QUARTZ
- FLAMINGO
- Spangram: TICKLEDPINK
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