> At a Glance
> – The January 10, 2026 NYT Strands puzzle centers on procrastination.
> – Theme answers: SOON, LATER, SHORTLY, TOMORROW, EVENTUALLY.
> – Spangram PROCRASTINATOR stretches board-edge to board-edge.
> – Why it matters: Trickier-than-usual vocab and a sideways spangram make this a head-scratcher for daily-word fans.
January 10’s Strands drops a winking challenge: If not now, when? The answers all toy with putting things off.
Theme & Hint
When the tagline feels like a personal attack, lean on the extra clue: When I get around to it! Every solution is a synonym for delay.
Helper Words
Stuck? Finding any three four-letter-plus words exposes a themed answer. Players used:
- RUNT, RURAL, TEAR, TEAL
- TURN, HOLE, HOLY, HONE
- PROM, PROMS, LATE, SHORT, LEAN, LANE
Today’s Answers
Non-spangram solutions:
- SOON
- LATER
- SHORTLY
- TOMORROW
- EVENTUALLY
Spangram: PROCRASTINATOR (start with the bottom-right P, snake backward, then up).
Tough Past Themes
Per Ethan R. Coleman at News Of Los Angeles, the hardest Strands so far:
- Dated slang – toughest word: PHAT
- Thar she blows! – toughest: BALEEN or RIGHT
- Off the hook – toughest: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK
## Key Takeaways
- January 10 puzzle hides five delay-themed words plus the spangram.
- PROCRASTINATOR runs board-wide; start at the lowest right P.
- Any four-letter words you spot can unlock built-in hints.
- Theme ranks among the trickier recent grids alongside sea-creature and slang editions.
Happy word hunting-no need to put it off until tomorrow.
