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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The April 24, 2024 New York Times Strands puzzle is game #52, with the theme “This is a puzzle.” Start with the hints below if you want to solve it yourself; the spangram and five theme answers are revealed farther down.
Hints for Strands #52
Start with the theme
Think of a puzzling question, mystery or difficult problem. The answers are words for different kinds of puzzles or challenging situations.
Need a nudge toward the spangram?
The spangram names the broad category that connects the theme answers. Tom’s Guide offers “Mind games” as an unofficial nudge for this puzzle. Read its hint and solution guide.
Clue words that unlock in-game hints
These are not final answers. They are words reported by the guides as ways to earn hints in the game:
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall- Tom’s Guide lists MASTERY, SQUARE, DARE, MAGE, RATES and DRUM.
- TechRadar lists ROUND, LASER, DRIED, RATES, SQUARE and MAGE. See TechRadar’s guide.
How Strands hints work
Strands is a themed word-search game. Try Hard Guides explains that the spangram describes the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the grid; its guide also says that the grid’s letters are used once among the completed answers. Finding three unrelated words of at least four letters unlocks a hint that highlights a theme word. These mechanics are attributed to that guide; the official NYT rules page was not available for verification here. Read the Try Hard Guides explainer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Spoilers: the April 24 answers
The puzzle’s theme is “This is a puzzle.” The spangram is BRAINTEASERS. The five regular theme answers are:
- RIDDLE
- ENIGMA
- MYSTERY
- QUANDARY
- CONUNDRUM
The theme and answer set are corroborated by Forbes, Tom’s Guide and Try Hard Guides. The guides confirm the answer set, but do not establish official cell paths or an official order for revealing the answers.
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