The Strands puzzle is a word search game presented daily by The New York Times, where players must find themed words in a six by eight grid of letters. In addition to theme words, players must also find a special word called a spangram, which connects two opposite sides of the board. Finding three valid words unlocks a Hint button that can help players complete the puzzle. The game’s difficulty can vary, with some puzzles requiring players to fill in missing words in a phrase or focus on synonyms and homophones.
Today’s Strands puzzle hint is “A token of our appreciation,” with a more focused hint provided as “It’s all in the game.” The spangram for this puzzle is “MONOPOLY,” which is related to today’s theme of game pieces. The answers for today’s puzzle include words such as THIMBLE, IRON, RACECAR, WHEELBARROW, SHIP, and PENGUIN, all of which are Monopoly pieces. The history of Monopoly game pieces traces back to a suggestion by Darrow’s niece to use charms from a girl’s charm bracelet, which ultimately led to the iconic Monopoly pieces.
Players of the Strands puzzle must be attentive and quick-thinking, as the game can sometimes involve filling in missing words in a phrase or focusing on synonyms and homophones. The challenge of the game may vary from day to day, keeping players on their toes and occasionally surprising them with unexpected themes. To complete the puzzle, players must find theme words that have something in common, as well as the special spangram that links opposite sides of the board.
In addition to the official hint of the day, players receive a more focused hint to aid them on their Strands journey. Today’s puzzle theme revolves around game pieces, with the spangram “MONOPOLY” being the key to unlocking the answers. Finding words like THIMBLE, IRON, RACECAR, WHEELBARROW, SHIP, and PENGUIN reveals the connection to Monopoly pieces and the history behind their selection as game tokens.
The creator of the Strands puzzle game provides players with daily hints and clues to help guide them in finding the theme words and spangram. The game offers a unique and challenging twist on the classic word search, with the added element of a special word that links the puzzle together. Solving the puzzle requires attention to detail and a creative approach to finding words that share a common theme, making it a fun and engaging daily challenge for players of all skill levels.
