NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Tuesday, July 23

Strands is a new, more challenging twist on the classic word search. It requires sharp observation and strategic thinking to solve.

 

How to Play Strands

  1. Objective: Find the “theme words” hidden in the grid of letters.
  2. Manipulate Letters: Drag or tap letters to form words. Confirm a word by double-tapping the final letter.
  3. Theme Words: Correct theme words will be highlighted in blue and become unselectable.
  4. Non-Theme Words: Finding non-theme words of at least four letters still helps. For every three such words, you receive a hint revealing letters of a theme word, which you must then unscramble.
  5. Letter Usage: Each letter in the grid is used exactly once to form the theme words.
  6. Spangram: Each puzzle contains a “spangram,” a special word describing the puzzle’s theme that spans two opposite sides of the board. This word will be highlighted in yellow.
  7. Goal: Complete the puzzle quickly without using too many hints.

 

Hint for Today’s Strands Puzzle

Today’s theme: “You’re the best!”

Hint: Think of ways to describe a talented person.

 

Today’s Strand Answers

Today’s spangram:

  • CHAMPION

Today’s theme words:

  • EXCELLENT
  • PERFECT
  • SUPREME
  • ICONIC
  • SUPERLATIVE

Use these answers to guide you through the puzzle and enjoy honing your word-finding skills! If you get stuck, remember there’s no shame in seeking a bit of help.