Explore Today's NYT Strands Puzzle: Hints and Answers for June 18, 2025
Introduction to NYT Strands
On June 18, 2025, the New York Times introduced its latest puzzle game, NYT Strands. This engaging daily puzzle invites players to uncover a variety of words based on a specific theme, including a unique Spangram that spans two sides of the grid.
A Brief History of NYT Puzzles
The New York Times made its debut in the crossword puzzle arena on February 15, 1942, thanks to Charles Erlenkotter's creation and Margaret Farrar's editing. It was the first major newspaper to feature such a puzzle. Over the years, the NYT has launched several captivating games, including the Mini Crossword in 2014, followed by Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. The immensely popular Wordle was released in 2022, along with Connections and now Strands.
Today's Puzzle Theme
The theme for today's Strands is 'Down time.'
Hints for Today's Strands
SPOILER ALERT: Below are hints for today's NYT Strands puzzle, which may reveal parts of the answers. Proceed with caution:
Spangram Hint: Look for words that convey feelings of sorrow or emotional distress.
Hint #1: Think of words related to sadness or the color associated with it.
Hint #2: Consider words that describe tearful expressions or eyes.
Answers for June 18, 2025
- BLUE
- TEARY
- GLOOMY
- DOLEFUL
- MELANCHOLY
- WOEBEGONE
Today's Spangram
The Spangram for today's NYT Strands puzzle is 'Sadness.'
Understanding NYT Strands
Strands is a unique game that merges elements from Connections, Spelling Bee, and traditional crossword puzzles. Players are presented with 48 letters arranged on a 6 x 8-inch board, along with a daily theme. The objective is to solve the Spangram and identify all the theme-related words.
To play, connect letters on the grid to form words using your mouse or fingers on a touchscreen. You can link letters in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Finding the central theme word or Spangram is essential for grasping the Strands theme.
Tips for Solving the Puzzle
Identify the theme words: Fill in the grid with the theme answers, which will be marked in blue once found and will not overlap.
Locate the Spangram: The Spangram is a vital component that connects two opposite sides of the board. It encapsulates the theme and may consist of two words, highlighted in yellow when discovered.
Utilize hints: Look for unrelated words as clues. For every three non-theme words revealed, letters will be highlighted to assist in finding a themed word without directly revealing it.