NYT Strands game #651 for Sunday, December 14, 2025, has the theme “Pricy pairing.” The answers are four seafood items and two steak cuts; its 11-letter spangram is SURFANDTURF. Hints below move from a gentle nudge to the full answer key.
Progressive hints for the December 14 Strands puzzle
- Theme: “Pricy pairing.”
- Think about: A meal that combines seafood and steak.
- Spangram length: 11 letters.
- Spangram route: It starts at the left edge of row 1 and finishes at the right edge of row 5.
Spangram and answer key
Spangram: SURFANDTURF
Theme words: CRAB, SHRIMP, RIBEYE, SIRLOIN, LOBSTER, SCALLOP.
How the words fit the theme
- Seafood: CRAB, SHRIMP, LOBSTER, SCALLOP.
- Steak cuts: RIBEYE, SIRLOIN.
Helper words for in-game hints
These words can unlock hints while you play, but they are not part of the answer key: SURE, CHAIR, FIRE, BRIER, POLL, FAST.
Which puzzle does this answer key cover?
This is the Sunday, December 14, 2025 puzzle, identified as game #651. TechRadar notes that a new Strands puzzle appears at midnight in each time zone, so “today’s” puzzle can refer to a different date depending on where you are. This answer key is for the stated date, not necessarily the puzzle currently available in your location.
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Strands is a daily themed word-search game. Players find words connected to the theme, including a spangram that spans two sides of the board. For this puzzle, the seafood and steak categories clarify the theme, while SURFANDTURF names their pairing.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
Sources
- TechRadar, Johnny Dee, “NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, December 14 (game #651),” published December 13, 2025.
- Strands Solution, date-indexed answer archive, reviewed October 7, 2026.
- Forbes, Erik Kain, “NYT Strands Hints, Spangram, Answers: Sunday, December 14 (Pricy Pairing),” published December 13, 2025.
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