Hints and Answers for NYT Strands Puzzle on May 2, 2025

San Francisco, California — The New York Times‘ word-search game, Strands, continues to challenge players with its unique twist on the classic format. The game requires players to connect letters in various directions, allowing for diagonal patterns and quirky shapes. With every letter in the grid forming part of the solution, the game’s design promotes a deeper engagement than standard word-search puzzles.

Today’s Strands puzzle, themed ‘What a trill!’, focuses on birds and features a spangram, ‘SONGBIRDS’, that runs across the grid. The inclusion of a common theme and an opaque hint makes this daily challenge even more intriguing. Strands aims to perplex even experienced players by providing hints without the complete word list.

According to Gael Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture enthusiast, the key to solving today’s puzzle lies in finding words related to the theme of vocal avian creatures. ‘If you stumble upon three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words to you,’ she notes. Cooper encourages players to leverage their existing findings to unlock more clues.

Players who feel stuck can search for additional clues related to the day’s theme and tweak the letters they have to uncover more words. Those looking to share their progress can connect with fellow gamers for tips on social media.

Cooper’s insights about the game reflect her passion for wordplay, as she has actively contributed to various puzzles in the Times’ lineup. Her most popular game guides include tips for Strands, Wordle, and Connections, illustrating her commitment to helping players succeed.

As Strands continues to engage puzzle enthusiasts, today’s focus on songbirds tests players’ knowledge of these melodic creatures. Fans are encouraged to enjoy the challenge and share their strategies.

For more tips on solving today’s puzzle or previous editions, readers can visit the New York Times’ website and explore their range of interactive word games.