The December 5, 2025, NYT Strands puzzle is game #642, with the theme clue “Feeling peckish?” If you want to solve it yourself, start with the hints below; the full word list and spangram appear further down.
Hints for Strands #642
Try these clues before revealing the answers:
- The theme is about places where you can eat.
- The spangram has nine letters and touches the top edge at column 3 and the bottom edge at column 5.
- To unlock an in-game hint, find three valid words that are not theme answers. Suggested words: HEAD, BUNG, BIKER, STEW, BENT, and SUNG.
How the hint system works
Strands uses a 6-by-8 letter grid. Connect letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, changing direction as needed to form a word. Finding three valid words that do not fit the theme unlocks a hint highlighting one theme word.
Full answer list
Spoilers below.
Theme words
- CAFE
- BUFFET
- STEAKHOUSE
- BAKERY
- BISTRO
- BREWERY
Spangram
DININGOUT
About the date
This answer set is for Friday, December 5, 2025, puzzle #642. The title’s date has no year; this is the researched match, rather than a claim about a December 5 puzzle in another year.
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