NYT Strands puzzle #435, for Monday, May 12, 2025, has the theme clue “A little respect.” Start with the spoiler-light hints below; the complete answer list and spangram are farther down.
Hints for Strands #435
Strands is a word-search puzzle played on a six-by-eight letter grid. Find words connected to the theme, plus a spangram that expresses the connection and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Theme words appear blue and the spangram yellow.
Progressive clues
- The theme clue is “A little respect.”
- Try these words to activate in-game hints: TRUE, MAST, POINT, POUT, STAND, TREE.
- The spangram has 10 letters. It touches the right edge at row 1 and the left edge at row 5.
Finding three qualifying non-theme words unlocks an in-game hint that reveals a theme word.
Spoilers: Strands answers for May 12
The five theme words are STANDING, CHARACTER, REPUTATION, STATURE, and NAME.
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Spangram
STREET CRED (also written as STREETCRED) is the spangram.
The answer set links respect with standing, character, stature, name, and reputation; “street cred” provides the connecting idea.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the theme fits
Strands themes can connect answers in different ways. Forbes quotes the New York Times describing them as: “Some themes are fill-in-the-blank phrases. They may also be steps in a process, items that all belong to the same category, synonyms or homophones.” In this puzzle, the answers cluster around respect and the regard someone commands.
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