Looking for a fresh challenge to add to your daily puzzle lineup? Meet Strands, the New York Times’ exciting twist on the classic word search. It’s not your average puzzle—you’ll need sharp focus and a knack for spotting patterns to conquer this one.
Just like NYT favorites Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can leave even seasoned solvers scratching their heads. Some days are trickier than others, and there’s no shame in needing a little boost. If today’s puzzle has you stumped, we’ve got your back with hints and solutions below.
How to Play Strands
The premise of Strands is simple yet deceptively challenging:
- Find the theme words: Hidden within a grid of letters are specific “theme words” that tie into the puzzle’s central idea.
- Manipulate the letters: Drag, tap, or double-tap to create words. To lock in a word, double-tap its final letter.
- Theme words turn blue: When you successfully identify a theme word, it will be highlighted in blue and removed from play.
What’s unique about Strands is that every single letter in the grid is used exactly once, with no overlap. Each puzzle contains a “spangram”—a special theme word that touches opposite sides of the grid and reveals the puzzle’s overarching theme.
But that’s not all:
- Non-theme words help too! For every three non-theme words (at least four letters long) you uncover, you’ll earn a hint. These hints reveal letters of a theme word that you can unscramble for a boost.
- The goal? Complete the puzzle quickly and minimize hint usage to prove your mastery.
Hints for Today’s Puzzle
Today’s theme is “Quiet at First”, and the puzzle focuses on sounds you don’t pronounce. Keep this in mind as you comb through the grid for potential words.
Today’s Spangram
The special spangram for today’s puzzle is:
SILENTLETTER
This word encapsulates the theme and might help you solve the rest of the puzzle.
Today’s Strands Answers
If you’re still stuck, here are the theme words for today’s Strands puzzle:
- MNEMONIC
- KNUCKLE
- GNOME
- HONESTY
- PSALM
- WRAP
Strands is perfect for anyone who loves word games with a twist. It challenges your vocabulary, strategy, and problem-solving skills all at once. Plus, the satisfaction of uncovering the spangram or cracking a tricky theme makes it all the more rewarding.
So, give it a try! Whether you solve today’s puzzle or not, there’s always another grid waiting tomorrow. Happy puzzling! 😊