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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesNYT Strands #352, played Tuesday, February 18, 2025, has the theme “Ouch!” Start with the theme hint below, then use the clue words to unlock in-game hints. The full word list and spangram are farther down, after a spoiler warning.
What is the theme of February 18’s NYT Strands?
The theme is “Ouch!” Think of creatures associated with a painful sting. If you want to keep solving without seeing the answers, stop here and try the clue words in the next section.
Clue words and spangram hint
Words to unlock in-game hints
Try finding these words in the grid to unlock hints: SCORE, BLEEP, CONE, CORNER, SOIL and SELL.
Spangram clue
The spangram clue is “Deliver venom.”
Full answers for NYT Strands #352
Spoilers ahead: the complete solution is below.
- BUMBLEBEE
- HORNET
- JELLYFISH
- PLATYPUS
- SCORPION
Spangram: STINGERS
TechRadar and the WordsRated archive list the spangram as STINGERS. Forbes lists the singular form, STINGER; the plural is supported by the other two records.
How Strands works
Strands is a word-search-style puzzle with theme words and a spangram that connects opposite sides of the board and expresses what the theme words have in common. Forbes quotes a description attributed to The New York Times explaining that themes can involve categories, steps in a process, fill-in-the-blank phrases, synonyms or homophones. The description is reproduced in Forbes; it is not a direct check of the Times’ rules page.
Quick Recap
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