Spoilers ahead: This guide starts with a gentle clue and moves toward the full answers for NYT Strands game #653, dated Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Because a new puzzle appears at midnight in each time zone, “today” can depend on where you play, as TechRadar notes.
Gentle hint
The theme is “Let me count the ways.” For a broader nudge, think of reasons to love someone, as Parade’s spoiler-light clue puts it.
Stronger hints
If you need help finding words on the board, try these clue words: PURE, SAGE, MUSE, DETER, TREE, and RING. Finding three non-theme words earns a hint, according to Parade’s rules summary.
The spangram has nine letters. Its path touches the bottom edge at the sixth column and the top edge at the fourth column, according to TechRadar’s guide.
Full answer reveal
Stop here if you want to solve the puzzle yourself. The answers are below.
- FUNNY
- CHARMING
- BEAUTIFUL
- SMART
- KINDHEARTED
- Spangram: HIGHPRAISE
In Strands, theme words fill the board without overlapping, while the spangram describes the theme and connects two opposite sides. The game and answer list are identified as Strands #653 for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by TechRadar and Parade.
Quick Recap
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