NYT Strands #400, dated Monday, April 7, 2025, has the theme “Half-and-half.” The spangram is HYBRIDCREATURE; its five theme words are CENTAUR, GRIFFIN, JACKALOPE, MERMAN and SATYR. Spoilers follow, with hints first.
Hints for the April 7, 2025 Strands puzzle
Theme clue
“Half-and-half” points to legendary beings made from a combination of different kinds of creatures, often human and animal.
Letter-start hints
If you want a more specific nudge without seeing the full answers, the theme words begin with ME, JA, GR, SA and CE. The spangram begins with HY.
Stronger hint
Look for mythical hybrid creatures. The spangram names the idea that connects them.
Full answer to NYT Strands #400
Spangram: HYBRIDCREATURE
Theme words: CENTAUR, GRIFFIN, JACKALOPE, MERMAN and SATYR.
The words fit the “Half-and-half” theme because they refer to legendary beings combining human and animal traits, or features associated with different animals.
Why some answer lists say MERMAID
There is one reported disagreement in published answer lists: Screen Plays Mag gives MERMAID, while Parade, Try Hard Guides, Fortnite Insider and the WordsRated archive give MERMAN. The four-source agreement is MERMAN, so that is the answer used here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Strands hints work
Parade reproduces the New York Times instruction, “Find theme words to fill the board.” In the game, theme words remain highlighted, and the spangram describes the theme while touching two opposite sides of the board. Non-theme words can also help unlock hints; Try Hard Guides says that finding three such words produces a hint revealing a theme word.
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