Sunday’s New York Times Strands puzzle presents a word-search challenge built around a hidden theme. By connecting letters across the grid, players uncover a set of related words. The key to solving the puzzle is identifying the spangram—a phrase that reveals the overall concept and makes the remaining themed words easier to spot.
How NYT Strands Works
Each day, a 6×8 grid of letters appears along with a brief hint about a recurring topic. Your goal is to find all words related to that concept. Once you discover a theme word, it stays highlighted in blue, marking your progress. With each correct answer, the puzzle moves closer to completion.
Rules for Connecting Letters
- Letters can connect diagonally, vertically, or horizontally.
- You can change direction in the middle of a word.
- Each letter in the grid is used exactly once.
- On touchscreen devices, double-tap the last letter to submit a word.
How the Hint System Works
Hints must be earned. After you find three acceptable four-letter or longer words that are not part of the theme, the Hint button activates. It highlights the letters of one unexplored theme word without revealing the answer outright.
Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle Explained
Theme hint: BIG TALK
Additional in-game hints (non-theme words): MOLE, LOUS, MASS, SOOL
Today’s Spangram
The spangram is: SUPERSIZE IT.
Today’s NYT Strands Answers
The full set of theme words:
- GIANT
- BEHEMOTH
- LEVIATHAN
- MAMMOTH
- COLOSSUS
Final Thoughts
NYT Strands rewards observation over speed. Focus on discovering connections, spotting patterns, and understanding the relationships between words rather than racing through the grid. Every solved puzzle feels satisfying, with the spangram acting as the key that ties everything together.
Also read: NYT Strands on July 18, 2026 | NYT Strands on July 17, 2026 | NYT Strands on July 16, 2026
Leave a Reply