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Strands is like a word find game, but without the list of words to find. Sometimes I see the theme and begin recognizing the answers right away. But for those times when I can’t seem to manage this, I use a loophole: Strands lets you make as many words of four or more letters as you want. For every three of those words found, the puzzle will highlight one of the answers. You’re still going to have to unscramble that answer, though, which can be very tough.
I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
Today’s puzzle theme isn’t an easy one, and some of the answers were tricky to unscramble. Read on for hints and all the answers.
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: On the sly…
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Shhh, this is a secret.
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:
- SHIFT, FAVE, SIRE, RISE, RISEN, THEN, DEAL, TEAL, STEAL, COVER
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 have 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:
- SHIFTY, COVERT, FURTIVE, DEVIOUS, STEALTHY
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is SNEAKINGAROUND. To find it, start with the S that’s five letters down on the far-left row, and wind around.
Toughest Strands puzzles
Here are some of the Strands topics I’ve found to be the toughest.
No. 1: Dated slang. Maybe you didn’t even use this lingo when it was cool. Toughest word: PHAT.
No. 2: Thar she blows! I guess marine biologists might ace this one. Toughest word: BALEEN or RIGHT.
No. 3: Off the hook. Again, it helps to know a lot about sea creatures. Sorry, Charlie. Toughest word: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK.
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