Today’s New York Times Strands puzzle centers around the relatable dread of Monday mornings and the classic workplace sitcom The Office. The puzzle requires identifying a series of hidden words, culminating in a “spangram”—a theme word stretching across the entire grid.
How to Solve Strands
The core mechanic involves finding words of four or more letters within the letter grid. Once three such words are discovered, the puzzle reveals one of the theme words. Useful words for triggering these hints include:
- COUNT
- FIRE
- CREAM
- BOGS
- GOBS
- MANE
- JOGS
- CRIME
- JOBS
- RICE
- RIFF
- POINT
Today’s Answers
The non-spangram answers for today’s puzzle are:
- AIDE
- CLERK
- MANAGER
- ACCOUNTANT
- RECEPTIONIST
The complete spangram, connecting the entire grid, is OFFICEJOBS. To locate it, start at the “O” three rows down on the far-left side and trace the letters across.
Notable Past Challenges
Recent Strands puzzles have proven particularly difficult for some players. Past topics that tested solvers include:
- Dated slang (Jan. 21) : The puzzle featured obscure terms like “PHAT,” challenging those unfamiliar with retro language.
- Whaling terms (Jan. 15) : Specialized vocabulary (“BALEEN” or “RIGHT”) made this puzzle especially tough for non-marine biology enthusiasts.
Strands continues to offer a unique word puzzle experience, blending vocabulary skills with pattern recognition. If you’re looking for additional daily puzzle solutions, CNET provides hints for Wordle, Connections, and the New York Times Mini Crossword.
