Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #177) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Pixar fare
NYT Strands today (game #177) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- LONE
- LOOT
- TOOL
- CATCH
- RATE
- MATH
NYT Strands today (game #177) - hint #3 - spangram
What is a hint for today's spangram?
• French cuisine, no rodent required
NYT Strands today (game #177) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First: top, 3rd column
Last: bottom, 2nd column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #177) - the answers
The answers to today's Strands, game #177, are…
- PEPPERS
- ZUCCHINI
- EGGPLANT
- TOMATOES
- ONIONS
- SPANGRAM: RATATOUILLE
- My rating: Moderate
- My score: Perfect
As Strands' theme clues go, today's is among the most cryptic we've had – until you know the answer, of course. 'Pixar fare' refers to the classic animated movie RATATOUILLE, which forms the spangram, but the actual theme of the game is not cartoon films but rather the French dish ratatouille, or rather the ingredients for it.
Whether that held you back or not will probably have depended on how much time you spent simply looking randomly for answers. I found PEPPERS and ZUCCHINI without actively trying to, and that was enough to make me realize that I should start looking for vegetables. I still couldn't see the connection with Pixar, but it didn't matter, because once I found EGGPLANT and TOMATOES the spangram revealed itself too.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday 26 August, game #176)
- VOLLEY
- SLICE
- RACKET
- SMASH
- LOVE
- FOREHAND
- SERVE
- SPANGRAM: GRANDSLAM
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
