Discover the Clues for the Strands Puzzle – January 12, 2025
For enthusiasts searching for insights and solutions related to the Strands game for January 12, 2025, you’ve arrived at the right place. This edition revolves around the captivating theme “Wait, what?” Read further for valuable hints and eventually, the complete solution to today’s challenge.
To easily return for daily hints regarding Strands, consider bookmarking this link. You will also have access to previous hints there, in case you wish to catch up on earlier puzzles you might have missed.
What follows are some subtle hints concerning today’s answers. For those eager for the complete solutions, scroll down the page to uncover the spangram along with the answers. Take your time, and feel free to grab only the hints you find necessary!
Clue for Today’s Spangram
Two expressions that might come to mind when you’re overwhelmed with new information.
Clue for the Theme Words
Terms that mean to catch someone unprepared.
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead for Today’s Puzzle!
It’s time to disclose the answers for today’s Strands challenge.
What is the Spangram for Today’s Challenge?
The spangram for today is MINDBLOWN.
What are the Theme Words?
The theme words include: FLABBERGAST, SURPRISE, ASTONISH, STUN, GOBSMACK.
Here’s a look at the board once the puzzle is completed:
Strategy for Solving Today’s Puzzle
The current puzzle likely involves terms associated with shock and surprise. Let’s explore.
Indeed, the word FLABBERGAST is noticeable in the upper left corner. 🔵
Positioned beneath that is SURPRISE. 🔵
STUN appears along the right edge. 🔵
GOBSMACK is found in the bottom right corner. 🔵
The spangram is taking shape, and it seems it ends with “blown.” Yes, it’s MINDBLOWN. 🟡
Lastly, the term ASTONISH also fits in. 🔵
Strands #315 “Wait what?” 🔵🔵🔵🔵 🟡🔵
Playing Strands: A Guide
The Strands game is accessible on the New York Times website and through the NYT Games app.
Upon entering the game, players are greeted with a board full of letters, accompanied by a clue hinting at the theme, usually framed as a phrase, such as “Better with age.” The objective is to discover the hidden words on the board that align with the theme.
A Blend of Crossword and Word Search
Among the words to uncover, the “spangram” holds the highest significance, clearly indicating the central theme of the puzzle (for instance, the spangram for “Better with age” is FERMENTED, as it directly relates to things that improve over time). The spangram will stretch across the board, either horizontally or vertically, and will be highlighted in yellow once identified. Finding the spangram typically simplifies the process of completing the rest of the puzzle.
In Strands, words can be arranged in any direction (up, down, sideways, and diagonal), and each letter can be used only once. There is a singular correct solution for each puzzle. Identifying a valid word (like KOMBUCHA, MISO, or KIMCHI) will result in it being marked in blue.
If progressing proves challenging, players might submit any observed non-theme words (four letters or longer) to earn a hint. Submitting three such words activates the “Hint” button, revealing letters in one of the theme words when pressed. Even if a hint is already available, a new hint will display the proper letter arrangement for that word.
Winning Strands
Unlike other games like Connections and Wordle, Strands does not have a failure mechanism. When guesses are made, players will either pinpoint an answer accurately, contribute towards hints, or see the input shake, indicating the guess is incorrect or too short. There is no limit on guesses, nor is there a time constraint.
