Strands Puzzle on Conspiracy Theories
2026-09-13 · Theme: conspiracy theories
A five-word, 38-letter theme list is a deceptively compact target, but the subject matter ensures the words are scattered and slippery. The spangram is a single, hefty 10-letter anchor that’s almost too obvious, which can make the supporting cast harder to spot.
This theme demands a specific, often capitalized vocabulary. With only four distinct starting letters among the five words, the board will have clusters that can mislead you into a false category. The longest word is a notorious portmanteau, while the shortest is a blunt, four-letter accusation. An experienced solver will scan for proper nouns and terms that sound more like movement names than common objects.
Spangram hint
It's the name of a famously alleged secret society, and it's a ten-letter word that will span the board.
Word hints
- 1
The long, lingering clouds left by aircraft that some believe contain nefarious substances.
- 2
The entity most often accused of covering up the truth in these narratives.
- 3
The accusation that a famous 1969 televised event was staged in a studio.
- 4
What some theorists claim replace celebrities and politicians after they 'disappear'.
- 5
The one-word dismissal for any major event deemed to be a manufactured deception.
The real challenge is ignoring the red herrings that sound conspiratorial but aren’t part of the sanctioned lexicon.