The New York Times’ Strands puzzle is a variation of a word search game, where players must find a group of words that have something in common based on a given clue. Additionally, players must find a special word called a spangram, which links at least two sides of the board. The game includes a hint button that is unlocked by finding three valid words of at least four letters that are not part of the theme. The difficulty level varies each day, with some days focusing on synonyms or homophones.
Today’s Strands theme is centered around the hint “Tasty” and “Tongue teasers.” There are a total of nine theme words to find, including the spangram. The spangram for today’s puzzle is “FLAVORS,” with other words including “BITTER,” “SALTY,” “SOUR,” “SWEET,” “PIQUANT,” “UMAMI,” “SPICY,” and “TART.” The game is completed by locating all the theme words and spangram on the grid, highlighting them in blue and yellow respectively.
For today’s Strands puzzle, one player reported no issues in discovering the theme right away and successfully clearing the board in a couple of minutes. The player found theme words such as “BITTER,” “SOUR,” “UMAMI,” “SALTY,” “FLAVORS,” “SWEET,” “PIQUANT,” “SPICY,” and “TART.” The spangram was discovered as the seventh theme word without the use of hints, leading to a relatively straightforward victory.
Players looking for assistance or hints can refer to the blog for additional solutions for other days’ puzzles. Additionally, the author has integrated a recommendation for music or other media at the end of their daily Strands coverage, encouraging readers to listen to artists like Charlotte Cardin. Overall, the Strands puzzle offers a fun and engaging word search experience with varying levels of difficulty to challenge players.
