NYT Strands #947: 'Changing Course' Theme and 'The Old Switcheroo' Spangram

Key points

• The theme for Strands #947 is 'Changing course,' focusing on verbs related to switching or reversing actions.
• The spangram, which spans the grid vertically, is 'THEOLDSWITCHEROO.'
• The five theme words are BACKPEDAL, REVERSE, OVERTURN, UNDO, and FLIP.
• CNET notes that some answers were difficult to unscramble, suggesting players use non-theme words to unlock hints.
• Lifehacker describes the puzzle as a 'brain-teasing' challenge that requires linking letters in any direction.

Background

Strands is a daily word search game launched by The New York Times in 2024, developed by Juliette Seive to replicate the success of Wordle. Tracy Bennett serves as the puzzle editor. Recent puzzles have included themes like 'Arcade Games' (Oct. 4) and 'Surprises' (Sept. 14).

How outlets are covering it

Mashable, Lifehacker, and CNET all confirm the theme, spangram, and word list. CNET emphasizes the difficulty of unscrambling certain words, while Lifehacker focuses on the strategic use of hints. All outlets agree on the vertical orientation of the spangram.

Why it matters

Daily puzzles like Strands provide a consistent mental exercise for millions of users, with outlets offering tiered hints to accommodate different skill levels and time constraints.

What to watch

The next Strands puzzle, #948, is scheduled for October 7, 2026. Players can expect new themes and spangrams as the game updates daily at midnight.