Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Dec. 14, #286

1 week ago 6

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Strands was kind of a puzzler for me today. I've realized I do better on the puzzles that are about very concrete items, like kinds of fish, or Taylor Swift albums. I don't do as well when the them is just ... a concept, and really, there's no short list of words that fill the bill. Today was one of those days. If you need hints or the answers, read on.

Also, I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page.

Hint for today's Strands puzzle

Today's Strands theme is: Nothing can stop me!

If that doesn't help you, here's a clue: Determination! Also, "Eye of the Tiger."

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle's theme. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

NOTE, VOTE, GONE, STENT, SETS, GIST, DEER, TINE, STAR, RATS, RATE, DOVE, TENNIS, TEED, SINE, PASS, PAST.

Answers for today's Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you've got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

FIRE, DRIVE, PASSION, PURPOSE, INTENSITY, DEVOTION.

Today's Strands spangram

Today's Strands spangram is GOGETTER. To find it, start with the G that's two rows over from the far left, and downfive letters. Move slightly left, then up and over.