New York Times Strands Puzzle Offers Daily Challenge for Word Game Fans

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Times launched its latest word game, Strands, in November 2025, offering daily puzzles that challenge players to find words sharing a common theme. The game features a six-by-eight grid of letters and encourages players to identify both theme words and a special word called a spangram.

Each day, players are greeted with a new puzzle emphasizing different themes. For instance, the theme on November 21, 2025, was ‘Heard at the board meeting.’ Players are tasked with connecting letters to reveal words that fit the day’s theme while also finding a spangram, which spans across two sides of the grid.

The spangram for the November 21 puzzle was ‘CORPORATE SPEAK,’ reflecting the everyday jargon frequently used in business settings.

“Some themes are fill-in-the-blank phrases or relate to steps in a process,” notes The New York Times. “We aim to keep players on their toes by varying the difficulty and structure of the puzzles.”

Players highlighted the need for quick thinking and creativity, especially when attempting to connect less obvious words. Strands is seen as a great alternative for those who seek a fresh challenge compared to popular games like Wordle or Connections.

Feedback from players indicates a broad range of difficulty levels, with some describing the puzzles as easy, while others find them challenging. Today’s Strands game is yet another addition to the NYT’s growing collection of engaging word games.

The New York Times provides hints to assist players who may struggle with finding the theme words. As many enthusiasts join in the daily challenge, the popularity of Strands is expected to grow.