If you are feeling stuck on today’s New York Times Strands puzzle, you aren’t alone. While the theme is straightforward, the length of the required words can make this particular edition quite a challenge for players.
Today’s Puzzle Breakdown
The theme for April 18 is “Not too much.” If you need a nudge in the right direction, think about shopping: Is it on sale?
How to use hints
If you are struggling to find a starting point, remember that Strands has a built-in hint mechanic. By finding any three words that are at least four letters long, the game will automatically reveal one of the theme-related words.
To trigger these hints, you can look for words such as:
– VICE or VICES
– SHEER
– FOLD or FOLDER
– BALD
– CHEAP
– HEAP
The Solutions
To complete the puzzle, you must find all the theme words and the Spangram —the word that connects one side of the board to the other and describes the overall theme.
Theme Words
The following words relate to the concept of being economical or low-cost:
– SALE
– BUDGET
– BARGAIN
– INEXPENSIVE
– AFFORDABLE
The Spangram
The Spangram for today is: ON THE CHEAP
Pro-tip: To find the Spangram, look for the letter “O” located three spaces to the right on the top row, then follow the path downwards through the grid.
Why Strands Can Be Difficult
Unlike traditional crosswords, Strands relies heavily on word length and unconventional connections. Players often find certain themes more difficult than others, such as:
* Dated Slang: Using words like “PHAT” can trip up players who aren’t familiar with older linguistic trends.
* Niche Subject Matter: Themes involving marine biology (e.g., “BALEEN” or “SKIPJACK”) require specific knowledge that may not be common knowledge.
Summary: Today’s puzzle focuses on affordability, requiring players to navigate several long words related to saving money to uncover the Spangram, ON THE CHEAP.
