Strands is a new word puzzle game from The New York Times that puts a twist on the classic word search. Players are presented with a six by eight grid of letters and must find a group of words that have something in common, along with a special word called a spangram that links two opposite sides of the board. Every letter is used once in the theme words and spangram, which can be found vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.
To play Strands, players must find three valid words of at least four letters that are not part of the theme, which will unlock the Hint button. The game can vary in difficulty, sometimes requiring players to fill in missing words in a phrase or identify synonyms and homophones. Each day’s puzzle will have a new theme and clue to solve, keeping players on their toes as they work their way through the grid.
Today’s hint for the Strands puzzle is “Pour it on,” which players must decipher to find the common thread among the words. In addition to the official hint, players can also come up with their own hint to help guide them in the right direction. The spangram for this week is “CONDIMENT,” providing a clue to the theme of the puzzle and the words that players must search for in the grid.
The answers for today’s Strands puzzle include AIOLI, SRIRACHA, KETCHUP, MUSTARD, MAYO, and TZATZIKI. While most of the words may be familiar condiments, TZATZIKI may pose a challenge for players due to its unique spelling and unfamiliarity. TZATZIKI is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip made from strained yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and fresh herbs, with variations in the type of yogurt used to make the dip. Despite its unfamiliarity to some players, TZATZIKI adds a unique twist to the puzzle and challenges players to expand their knowledge of condiments.
Players can follow along with updates and hints for the Strands puzzle on various social media platforms, including Twitter, Threads, YouTube, and Instagram. Whether players are seasoned word puzzle enthusiasts or new to the game, Strands offers a fun and engaging challenge that tests their knowledge of words and expands their vocabulary. With daily puzzles and new themes to solve, players can continue to enjoy the Strands game and sharpen their skills in wordplay and problem-solving.
