Overview
NYT Strands puzzle #934 for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, challenges players with the theme “Practically Paleolithic.” The puzzle hides five theme words and one spangram that all relate to age, history, and things from the distant past.
Understanding Today’s Theme
The official clue is “Practically Paleolithic,” pointing toward words that describe something old, ancient, or belonging to a bygone era. The five theme words are synonyms or descriptors for extreme age: ANCIENT, ARCHAIC, BYGONE, PRIMEVAL, and TIMEWORN.
How NYT Strands Works
NYT Strands is a daily word‑search puzzle where players find words connected to a specific theme. Letters can be connected in any direction across the 6×8 grid. The spangram is a special word or phrase that captures the puzzle’s central idea; it stretches across the board and touches two opposite sides. Once found, the spangram appears in yellow. Players can also find non‑theme words to earn hints: three qualifying non‑theme words unlock a hint that highlights letters belonging to one of the theme answers.
Hints for September 23, 2026
Main hint: “Practically Paleolithic”
Simpler clue: Think of things that are very old or belong to another era. The five theme words describe different forms or examples of age. Looking for synonyms connected to ancient history, outdated objects, or earlier periods will help you uncover the grid.
Spangram Hint
Still searching for the longest answer? Today’s spangram has 12 letters when written without spaces. It starts with T and ends with S. The phrase refers to information or an idea that is already old news, tying directly into the puzzle’s broader theme of things from the past.
Spangram Answer
The spangram for September 23, 2026, is THATSOLDNEWS. This phrase describes something that is already old or no longer new and provides a useful clue for finding the five related words hidden across the board.
Complete List of Answers
- ANCIENT
- ARCHAIC
- BYGONE
- PRIMEVAL
- TIMEWORN
- THATSOLDNEWS (Spangram)
All five theme words describe something associated with the past, age, or long‑term wear. PRIMEVAL points specifically toward the earliest ages, while TIMEWORN can describe something made old or worn through long use.
Why Today’s Puzzle May Take Some Time
The similarity between several answers—ANCIENT, ARCHAIC, and BYGONE—can make it harder to identify the exact words hidden in the grid. PRIMEVAL may also require more thought since it refers specifically to the earliest ages. The spangram often provides the breakthrough; once you identify THATSOLDNEWS, the connection between the remaining words becomes easier to recognize.
NYT Strands gives players a fresh theme and letter grid every day. Puzzle #934 focuses on words connected with age and the distant past, using “Practically Paleolithic” as its central clue. For players stuck on September 23, the full answer list above provides a direct route through the puzzle. The next Strands challenge will bring another theme and a new set of hidden words.
