This guide is for the Friday, December 6, 2024, NYT Strands puzzle, game #278. Its theme is “Find your people.” Start with the theme nudge or opening letters below; the complete answer list is behind a spoiler warning.
Gentle hint for Strands #278
Think of words for a gathering or group of people. The puzzle’s theme is “Find your people.”
Opening-letter hints
For a more specific nudge without seeing the answers, the theme words begin with these letter pairs in puzzle order:
- GR
- CR
- CL
- SO
- CL
- BU
- CI
The spangram begins with FE. Parade reports that the first theme word is in the top half of the board. Source: Parade’s December 6, 2024 guide.
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Optional clue words
These are non-theme words that can help unlock in-game hints; they are not puzzle answers:
- LORE
- SCORE
- CROWS
- ROPE
- FELL
- FILE
How Strands hints work
The New York Times directions, reproduced by Parade, say: “Find theme words to fill the board.” You can drag letters or tap them to form words; when tapping, double-tap the final letter to submit. Finding three non-theme words earns a hint, which reveals the letters of a theme word. Theme words fill the board without overlap, while the spangram connects two opposite sides. Parade’s guide to the puzzle.
Spoiler warning: full answers
The solution below reveals every theme word and the spangram.
Theme words
- GROUP
- CROWD
- CLUB
- SOCIETY
- CLIQUE
- BUNCH
- CIRCLE
Spangram
FELLOWSHIP
FELLOWSHIP runs horizontally from the left side of the board to the right, across the fourth row, according to TechRadar’s guide. TechRadar’s December 6, 2024 solution.
Which December 6 puzzle is this?
This is the edition published Friday, December 6, 2024, identified by both TechRadar and Parade as game #278. The date matters: December 6, 2025, fell on a Saturday and refers to a different puzzle. TechRadar and Parade report the same theme, spangram and answer set.
Quick Recap
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