The New York Times Strands puzzle for October 22, #598, challenges players to identify hidden words within a grid, all revolving around a central theme. If you’re stuck, this guide provides hints and the complete solution, including the spangram.
Understanding the Puzzle
Strands tasks players with finding words of at least four letters, which in turn reveal clues to the broader theme. The ultimate goal is to uncover all theme-related words, including the spangram—a long word that spans the entire grid. The puzzle dynamically adjusts; the number of theme words can vary.
Hints for Today’s Puzzle
The theme for today’s Strands is “Catch all.” Think of a place where miscellaneous small items accumulate.
If that isn’t enough, consider this: the words relate to a messy collection of objects.
Clue Words for In-Game Hints
To unlock further clues, begin by finding any four-letter (or longer) words within the grid. The game automatically reveals theme-related letters once you discover three qualifying words. Some examples that can be used include:
- BATE
- LICE
- SLUM
- CAPE
- HOLE
- CARE
- BARE
- THEN
- SLAM
- SAMBA
- BACK
Solutions for Today’s Strands Puzzle
The theme words are:
- TAPE
- COIN
- PENCIL
- BATTERY
- SHOELACE
- THUMBTACK
The Spangram
Today’s spangram is JUNKDRAWER. To locate it, start at the “J” in the fifth row, on the far left, and trace the letters diagonally down, then horizontally, and finally upward.
Quick Tips for Success
- Word Variations: Expand your word search by experimenting with suffixes like “S” or similar letter changes on words you’ve already found.
- Theme Connections: Once one theme word is revealed, look for other related terms that might fit the pattern.
- Forced Clues: If stuck, identify three additional clue words, and the puzzle will light up the letters of the hidden theme word in order, making it easier to deduce.
The puzzle relies on recognizing letter patterns and theme associations; once those are understood, it becomes much easier to complete.
