The New York Times’ Strands puzzle presents a daily word challenge where players uncover hidden words related to a specific theme. In the January 12, 2025 puzzle, the theme revolves around expressions of surprise, encapsulated by the prompt “Wait what?” and further hinted at by the interjection “OMG.” The objective is to locate all the theme-related words within the grid, culminating in the discovery of the spangram, a key word that stretches across the entire puzzle board.
Successfully identifying hidden words unlocks clues to the theme words. Players can strategically find any words they can, with each discovery of three four-letter (or longer) words revealing a theme word. For instance, uncovering “TONS,” “REAL,” and “DEAL” could unlock a hint, as could “NUTS,” “GOBS,” and “SACK.” Any combination of three qualifying words will trigger a hint, assisting players in their quest to decipher the theme answers.
The core of the January 12th puzzle lies in uncovering words expressing astonishment. These include “STUN,” “ASTONISH,” “GOBSMACK,” “SURPRISE,” and “FLABBERGAST.” These words represent the non-spangram answers, essential components in completing the puzzle. Finding these words not only contributes to the overall solution but also helps unveil the ultimate target: the spangram.
The spangram, the centerpiece of every Strands puzzle, ties the theme together. In this instance, the spangram is “MINDBLOWN,” perfectly capturing the essence of surprise and awe. Locating this word requires careful observation and strategic letter tracing, starting with a specific “M” on the top row and navigating downwards. Uncovering the spangram signifies a significant step towards completing the puzzle.
The ultimate goal is to utilize every letter on the board, ensuring a comprehensive solution. Once all theme words, including the spangram, have been identified, the puzzle is considered complete. This aspect of the game encourages meticulous searching and strategic thinking, pushing players to explore every corner of the grid. The successful completion of the puzzle, as depicted in the screenshot for January 12, 2025, showcases the satisfaction of a perfectly solved Strands challenge.
In addition to daily Strands hints and answers, CNET provides resources for other NYT puzzles like the Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Connections. These resources offer hints, strategies, and solutions, assisting players in their daily puzzle-solving endeavors. For those unfamiliar with Strands, dedicated articles delve into the rules and gameplay mechanics, offering a comprehensive understanding of the puzzle’s intricacies. This combination of resources allows puzzle enthusiasts to engage with a variety of word challenges and sharpen their word-solving skills.
