NYT Strands puzzle #288 for Monday, December 16, 2024, has the theme “Crossed words.” The hints below move from vague to specific, so you can stop before the solutions if you want to keep solving.
Hints for Strands #288
Use these clues in order, from the theme toward the spangram’s position:
- Theme: “Crossed words.” The theme answers are blended words.
- Clue words: SURE, MATES, TANK, RATHER, HURT, and NEAT can unlock in-game help.
- Spangram hint: “Word smash.”
- Spangram location: It runs vertically from the top to the bottom of the board, in the fourth column.
Strands’ instructions say to “Find theme words to fill the board.” The spangram describes the theme and touches two opposite sides; finding three non-theme words earns a hint that reveals letters in theme words. (Parade)
Strands #288 answers
Spoilers below.
Spangram
PORTMANTEAUX
Theme words
- SMOG
- SPORK
- BRUNCH
- ZORSE
- ATHLEISURE
- ANKLET
Answer guides differ on two spellings: TechRadar and Try Hard Guides list SPORT, while Parade and Try Hard Guides list SPORK; TechRadar and Try Hard Guides give ZORSE, while Parade gives ZORSES. The list above uses SPORK and ZORSE, which are each reported by more than one guide. (TechRadar; Try Hard Guides; Parade)
Quick Recap
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