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Today's puzzle features six theme words linked to common superstitions and signs of misfortune.
The spangram is ROTTENLUCK, a 10-letter phrase describing a run of bad luck.
The theme words include BROKEN, FLOOR, MIRROR, SALT, SPILLED and THIRTEENTH.
A new NYT Strands puzzle is available for Friday, November 13, 2026. Today's challenge asks players to find words linked to traditional beliefs about bad luck. If the hidden words are proving difficult to spot, these hints can help you complete puzzle #985.
The official theme for November 13 is “Not a good sign.”
Today's puzzle focuses on familiar superstitions associated with misfortune. These include broken objects, spilled salt and the belief that the number 13 brings bad luck.
Players need to identify six theme words that connect to these traditional beliefs. The spangram brings the entire theme together with a phrase describing a period of poor fortune.
Strands is a daily word-search game from The New York Times. Players must find hidden words that match a given theme. Letters can connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
The main feature is the spangram. It is a special word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the grid. Once discovered, it appears in yellow and helps players understand the puzzle's theme.
Players can also find additional words that are not part of the theme. Every three valid non-theme words containing at least four letters unlock one hint.
Today's main theme hint is:
“Not a good sign”
A more direct clue is:
“Think about common superstitions and things people traditionally associate with bad luck.”
Today's answers are connected to familiar beliefs about unlucky objects, numbers and everyday incidents.
Some useful non-theme words that can unlock in-game hints include:
TORN
THEN
PILL
DEEP
MORE
LISTEN
Finding any three valid non-theme words with at least four letters will unlock a hint.
Looking for the longest answer? Here are some clues to help you identify today's spangram:
Today's spangram contains 10 letters.
It is made from two words joined together.
It starts with the letter R.
It ends with the letter K.
It connects the left and right sides of the grid.
It describes a period of unusually bad fortune.
Spangram revealed
The November 13, 2026 spangram is:
ROTTENLUCK
The phrase describes a prolonged period of bad luck. It connects all six theme answers in today's puzzle.
Spoilers ahead
The complete answer list for puzzle #985 includes:
BROKEN
FLOOR
MIRROR
SALT
SPILLED
THIRTEENTH
Spangram: ROTTENLUCK
All six words relate to traditional superstitions and things commonly associated with misfortune.
Today's puzzle can be tricky if players interpret the theme too broadly. The phrase “Not a good sign” could refer to warnings or negative events. However, the answers point towards familiar superstitions.
BROKEN and MIRROR connect to the belief that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. SALT and SPILLED refer to the superstition surrounding spilled salt. FLOOR points towards the belief about walking on cracks, while THIRTEENTH refers to the number traditionally considered unlucky.
Once players identify ROTTENLUCK, the connection between the remaining words becomes easier to recognise.
NYT Strands offers a fresh word puzzle every day, with a different theme and spangram. Players must identify the relationship between hidden words to complete each challenge.
Puzzle #985 brings together six familiar superstitions under the ROTTENLUCK spangram. Players who struggled with today's grid can use the complete answer list to check their solutions.
Also Read: NYT Strands Hints and Answers for November 12, 2026 (Puzzle #984)