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The first weekend of 2025 brings a great opportunity to continue the daily tradition of solving Strands puzzles. Many players are resolving to keep up with the game throughout the year.
The Strands puzzle, introduced by The New York Times, is a creative variation of the classic word search. Currently in beta, its continuation depends on consistent engagement from players.
Each puzzle features a 6x8 grid of letters, challenging participants to identify groups of words with a common theme. A provided clue helps identify these theme words, highlighted in blue upon discovery.
Additionally, the puzzle includes a spangram—a special word that connects two opposite sides of the board and explains the link between the theme words. Unlike theme words, the spangram may include proper names and is highlighted in yellow when found.
Every letter in the grid is used once as part of a theme word or the spangram. Words can be connected vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, with direction changes allowed mid-word. On touchscreen devices, double-tapping the last letter submits the guess.
Players unlock the Hint button by finding three valid four-letter words unrelated to the theme. This feature highlights the letters for one of the theme words, offering assistance if needed.
The game’s difficulty varies daily, requiring players to solve puzzles based on challenges such as completing phrases, finding synonyms, or identifying homophones. Surprises are common, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.
The official and customised hints for today are:
Official hint: Literary Couples
Custom hint: No marriages
The spangram and the theme words for today’s puzzle are as follows:
Spangram: BOOKTITLES
SOUND
FURY
PRIDE
PREJUDICE
CRIME
PUNISHMENT
At first, the theme might be ambiguous for words such as “fury," and no direct connection with couples might be made. Nonetheless, the recognition of Crime makes sense: Tied to three literary couples, some of the most famous books in world literature are presented in the puzzle. The only work not appearing on this list is “War and Peace” because none of the titles include 3-letter words.
The Strands puzzle for today is an excellent literature mashup puzzle that allows players to consider some of the most interpreted literary works out there, as well as the puzzle itself.
