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This is the archived guide to NYT Strands puzzle #656, published Friday, December 19, 2025—not the current daily puzzle. The theme is “On the chopping block.” Start with the gradual clues below, and stop before the spoiler section if you want to solve it yourself.
Progressive hints for Strands #656
Start with the theme
Think of classic knife techniques used to prepare vegetables and herbs. The theme is about ways to cut or prepare food.
A broader clue
Knife skills.
First letters
For the six theme words, the starting letters are CU, JU, DI, CH, SL, and MI. The spangram begins MA.
Spangram placement
The 12-letter spangram touches the left edge of the board at row 3 and the right edge at row 6, according to TechRadar’s December 19 guide.
How Strands works
Strands is a themed word-search game: connect letters on the board to form the theme words. The spangram describes the theme and reaches opposite sides of the board. In rules summarized by Parade, attributing them to The New York Times, theme words highlight in blue and the spangram in yellow. Finding three non-theme words earns a hint that reveals letters in a theme word.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Spoilers: all answers for puzzle #656
Stop here if you do not want the full solution. The six theme words are CHIFFONADE, CUBE, DICE, JULIENNE, MINCE, and SLICE. The spangram is MAKINGTHECUT. Together, those are seven words including the spangram, as listed by Try Hard Guides for the December 19, 2025 puzzle.
The theme and word set are also identified by The Word Finder. For the original game, visit NYT Games: Strands.
Quick Recap
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