If you are feeling stuck on today’s New York Times Strands puzzle, you aren’t alone. Today’s edition features several lengthy answers and complex letter patterns that can be particularly challenging to unscramble.
Today’s Theme: Risky Business
The guiding theme for this puzzle is “Risky business.” If you need a more direct nudge to get started, think about the concept of taking a chance.
How to Use In-Game Hints
If you are struggling to find your footing, remember that the game has a built-in hint system. To trigger a hint, you simply need to find three words that are at least four letters long. These do not have to be theme words; they can be any valid words hidden in the grid.
For example, finding words such as ROUT, GUTS, DARE, or DEVIL will help reveal the theme-related words hidden in the puzzle.
Puzzle Answers
To complete the grid, you must find all the theme-related words and the “spangram”—the word that spans from one side of the board to the other.
Theme Words
These words all relate to the concept of being bold or taking risks:
– BOLD
– GUTSY
– INTREPID
– COURAGEOUS
– ADVENTUROUS
The Spangram
The spangram for today is DAREDEVILS.
Pro-tip: To find it, look for the letter D located five rows down on the far-left side of the grid and follow the path across the board.
Strategies for Success
If you want to improve your Strands skills, keep these three tactics in mind:
- Experiment with Variations: If you find a word, try adding an “S” to the end or looking for nearby letters to create a variation. For instance, if you find “WILL,” check if the surrounding letters allow for “SILL” or “BILL.”
- Follow the Semantic Trail: Once you successfully identify one theme word, scan the remaining letters specifically for words that share that same meaning.
- Use the “Light Up” Feature: If you are close to a theme word but can’t quite see it, find three more random words. The game will highlight the letters of the theme word in order, providing a visual map to help you solve it.
Summary: Today’s puzzle centers on the theme of risk-taking, requiring players to find words like “Intrepid” and “Courageous,” culminating in the spangram DAREDEVILS.
