Here is everything for Strands #984, the puzzle for Thursday, November 12, 2026. Start with the clue and the board, take the hints one at a time, and open the reveal only when you must.
Our read of the puzzle: 5 theme words plus an 8-letter spangram; the spangram runs side to side; one theme word is a long one (11 letters), which usually anchors a corner. The theme clue is a riddle more than a description, so if it is not landing, find three non-theme words to earn a hint and let the game show you a word.
Today's theme and board
Today's theme“Facing the music”
The board, exactly as it appears in the game. Words can bend in any direction, and every letter is used exactly once.
RPETROEOSCATTGIENERELSTRNCREWVOCNOEIAPATREUDIENC
Hints for today's Strands
Three levels of help, from shape to spelling. Stop as soon as the theme clicks.
Level 1 · The shape of itThe spangram has 8 letters and runs side to side. There are 5 theme words, with lengths of 6, 6, 8, 9, 11 letters.
Level 2 · First lettersThe spangram starts with A. The theme words start with: C, L, P, S, V.
Level 3 · Two theme wordsTheme word 1 (11 letters)
CONCERTGOER
Theme word 2 (9 letters)
SPECTATOR
Today's Strands answers
The spangram and every theme word for Strands #984 are behind the button. Nothing is shown until you click.
▶ Reveal the answers to Strands #984
SpangramAUDIENCE
Theme wordsCONCERTGOERLISTENERPATRONSPECTATORVIEWER
The spangram on the boardRPETROEOSCATTGIENERELSTRNCREWVOCNOEIAPATREUDIENC
Yellow: the spangram, AUDIENCE · every other letter belongs to a theme word
Yesterday's Strands
Strands #983 on Wednesday, November 11 had the theme “Work it out”. The spangram was MUSCLEGROUP and the theme words were BICEPS, HAMSTRINGS, LATS, OBLIQUES, PECS, QUADS. Our full write-up is still up.
How Strands works
Strands is a themed word search on a six-by-eight grid. Every letter belongs to exactly one answer: the theme words, which fit the day's clue, and the spangram, a word or phrase that describes the theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. Words can turn in any direction but never cross. Find three words that are not part of the theme and the game lets you reveal one theme word as a hint. Today's puzzle was constructed by Tracy Bennett and edited by Tracy Bennett at The New York Times.
A habit that pays: hunt for the spangram first. It is the longest answer, it has to span the board, and once it is in, the rest of the grid is cut into smaller regions that each hold a word or two.
Strands resets at midnight in your local time zone. We will be back tomorrow with hints for #985.