Overview
NYT Strands #964 for October 23, 2026, follows the theme “None of your beeswax!” and explores intrusive curiosity and meddling in other people's affairs.
Today's spangram is BUSYBODY, describing someone who takes too much interest in matters that do not concern them.
The five theme words are EAVESDROPPING, INQUISITIVE, NOSY, PRYING and SNOOPY.
Another NYT Strands puzzle is here for Friday, October 23, 2026. Today's challenge follows the theme “None of your beeswax!” and asks players to find words connected to intrusive curiosity and interference in other people's private matters. The hints below can help you solve the grid before revealing the complete answer list.
Understanding Today's NYT Strands Theme
The official theme for October 23 is “None of your beeswax!”
The phrase is a playful way of telling someone to mind their own business. Today's puzzle focuses on behaviors associated with excessive curiosity, secretly listening to conversations and investigating matters that do not concern you.
Players should look for words describing people who are nosy, inquisitive or overly interested in others' affairs.
How NYT Strands Works
NYT Strands is a daily word-search game from The New York Times. Players must locate words connected to a specific theme within a letter grid.
Words can move horizontally, vertically or diagonally, with their paths sometimes changing direction. The spangram is a special word that summarizes the theme and stretches between two opposite sides of the grid.
Theme words turn blue when found, while the spangram appears in yellow. Players can also find non-theme words of at least four letters to earn hints. Every three valid words unlock one hint.
NYT Strands Hint for October 23, 2026
Today's main theme hint is:
“None of your beeswax!”
A more direct clue is to think about people who cannot resist getting involved in someone else's personal affairs.
The answers describe different forms of intrusive curiosity. Some involve listening to private conversations, while others describe people who ask too many questions or investigate matters unnecessarily.
NYT Strands Spangram Hint
Still searching for the longest connecting word?
Today's spangram has eight letters and describes a person who interferes in other people's affairs. It begins with B and ends with Y.
Look for a word that captures the entire theme rather than describing just one type of behavior.
NYT Strands Spangram Answer Today
The October 23, 2026, spangram is:
BUSYBODY
A busybody is someone who takes an excessive interest in other people's private matters. The word connects today's answers through the broader idea of unwanted curiosity and interference.
NYT Strands Answers for October 23, 2026
The complete answer list for puzzle #964 includes:
EAVESDROPPING
INQUISITIVE
NOSY
PRYING
SNOOPY
BUSYBODY - Spangram
Each theme word describes a different aspect of intrusive curiosity. EAVESDROPPING refers to secretly listening to conversations, while INQUISITIVE describes a strong desire to learn or ask questions. NOSY, PRYING and SNOOPY describe people who take too much interest in others' business.
Why Today's Puzzle May Take Some Time
Today's challenge relies on recognizing several similar words rather than identifying different objects or categories. NOSY is short and relatively easy to spot, while EAVESDROPPING is considerably longer and may take more effort to trace through the grid.
The spangram can help narrow the theme. Finding BUSYBODY establishes the connection between the remaining answers and makes the word search easier to approach.
Players who get stuck can try finding unrelated words in the grid to unlock in-game hints before checking the full solution.
Another Daily Word Challenge
NYT Strands gives players a fresh theme each day, combining word recognition with the challenge of tracing connected letters across the grid.
Today's “None of your beeswax!” puzzle centres on curiosity and personal boundaries. For anyone struggling with Strands #964, the hints and answers above provide a way to complete the challenge.
A new puzzle will introduce another theme and another set of hidden words in the next daily edition.
Also Read: Today's NYT Strands Hints, Spangram and Answers for October 22, 2026