The December 1, 2025, NYT Strands puzzle is game #638, with the theme “On the ice.” If you want to solve it yourself, start with the spoiler-light clues below; the spangram and full answer list are clearly marked.
Spoiler-light hints for Strands #638
- The theme is “On the ice.”
- The spangram is 10 letters long.
- TechRadar reports that its endpoints are on the top edge of the grid, at columns one and five.
Words that can earn an in-game hint are SHOCK, MORE, BOSS, ROAM, TONIC, and SICK. These are clue words, not answers to the theme.
Spoilers: the December 1 spangram
HOCKEYRINK
Spoilers: all six theme words
- SKATES
- PUCK
- STICKS
- GOALS
- SCOREBOARD
- ZAMBONI
How Strands hints work
Try Hard Guides describes Strands as a themed word-search game: letters can be connected in any direction, without reusing or crossing them, and the completed set uses every grid letter. The spangram describes the theme. According to the guide, finding three non-theme words of at least four letters earns a hint that highlights a theme word. This is a third-party description of the game mechanics.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
Sources
- TechRadar’s December 1, 2025 Strands hints and answers
- Try Hard Guides’ Strands answers guide
- Strands Unlimited’s December 2025 archive
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
