NYT Strands game #660 for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, has the theme “Br-r-r-r-r!” Start with the theme clue below, then use the optional nudges if you want help before revealing the spangram and answers.
Theme hint
Br-r-r-r-r! Forbes also offers this thematic nudge: “Turn down the temperature.”
Optional in-game hint words
Enter these unrelated words in the grid to unlock in-game hints: HILL, CROP, SNIFF, GHOST, FLINTY, CAROL. These are hint-unlocking words, not theme answers.
Spangram position clue
The eight-letter spangram runs from the top to the bottom of the board in the fourth column.
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Spangram: NOTSOHOT (also written “NOT SO HOT”).
Theme answers: CHILLY, COLD, COOL, FREEZING, FRIGID, GLACIAL, POLAR. The order here is not a required solving order.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Strands works
The puzzle uses a six-by-eight grid. Connect letters vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, changing direction as needed to form a word. The theme answers and spangram use every letter on the board once. The spangram expresses the theme and spans at least two sides of the board. Finding three valid non-theme words of at least four letters unlocks a hint that highlights letters in a theme word.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Strands Solution’s date-indexed archive lists the December 23 theme, spangram, and answers.
- TechRadar’s December 22 guide identifies the puzzle as game #660 and provides the clue words, spangram position, and answers.
- Forbes’s December 22 guide reports the same theme and answer set and explains the game mechanics.
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