Looking for Monday’s Strands hints, spangram and answers? You can find them here:
Welcome back to your friendly neighborhood Strands guide, where every day we do our best to help you with extra hints and clues—and the answers—in case you’re struggling with the New York Times’ latest word puzzle game.
I have some issues with this game that I’m going to talk about today:
- First off, it’s too easy too much of the time. I solved today’s grid in under a minute, and that’s the second time this week it’s been this easy. We need tougher words or tougher clues or something.
- Maybe the “hint” function within the game itself is too easy. It’s one thing to go and look up a guide for help. At least you have to make some effort. Having a hint function built into the game is basically cheating. They don’t do this for Wordle or Connections or Spelling Bee.
- If this game is going to survive long-term, I think it needs to be more challenging. Adding a “poison” word could also help. Some word that isn’t in the “theme” and if you highlight it you automatically lose. This would suck, but it would keep people on their toes. I like this idea, even though I literally just came up with it in the time it took me to solve today’s ridiculously easy puzzle.
Okay, let’s do this Strands!
How To Play Strands
The New York Times’ Strands puzzle is a play on the classic word search. It’s in beta for now, which means it’ll only stick around if enough people play it every day. Keep playing, in other words. It’s our collective mission to keep this game alive and get it on the app!
There’s a new game of Strands to play every day. The game will present you with a six by eight grid of letters. The aim is to find a group of words that have something in common, and you’ll get a clue as to what that theme is. When you find a theme word, it will remain highlighted in blue.
You’ll also need to find a special word called a spangram. This tells you what the words have in common. The spangram links two opposite sides of the board. While the theme words will not be a proper name, the spangram can be a proper name. When you find the spangram, it will remain highlighted in yellow.
Strands still isn’t on the New York Times games app, but you can play it right here.
What Is Today’s Strands Hint?
Scroll slowly! Just after the hint for today’s Strands puzzle, I’ll reveal what the answer words are.
The official theme hint for today’s Strand puzzle is: It’s right under your nose!
Here’s an extra hint to help guide you to the solution: If, that is, you haven’t shaved.
What Are Today’s Strands Answers?
Spoiler alert! Don’t scroll any further down the page until you’re ready to find out today’s Strands answers.
Today’s Spangram
I’ll first tell you the spangram and show you where that is on the grid. I’ll then tell you the other words and show you how they fit in.
This is your final warning!
Today’s Strands spangram is . . .
MUSTACHE
Here’s where the Spangram is on the grid:
All Today’s Strands Answers
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, this Strands is all about different types of mustaches, of every shape and size.
If you need extra help, spoilers below!
Here’s the full list of words:
- Horseshoe
- Handlebar
- Pencil
- Toothbrush
- Walrus
Today’s Strands Breakdown
Like I said, this was just ridiculously easy. For the very first time, I got the SPANGRAM before I solved any other word, and then it was just a matter of knocking out the remaining five, all of which struck me as super obvious. Oh well. Who needs a challenging puzzle?
How did you do on your Strands today? Let me know on Twitter and Facebook.
Be sure to check out my blog for my daily Wordle guides as well as all my other writing about TV shows, streaming guides, movie reviews, video game coverage and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
