What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For NYT Strands puzzle #725 on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the theme clue is “Watch the attitude!” Start with the hints below if you want to keep solving; the spangram and all seven theme words are revealed farther down.
Hints for Strands #725
- Gentle hint: Look for adjectives describing someone appealing, lively, teasing, or mildly disrespectful in social situations.
- Another hint: “Brazen and brassy.”
- Spangram hint: It describes replying defiantly instead of quietly accepting a reprimand. It has 11 letters and reaches the top and bottom edges of the grid.
The theme clue is “Watch the attitude!”
Spangram and answers
Spoilers below: The complete solution is TALKINGBACK. The seven theme words are:
- CHEEKY (6 letters)
- CUTE (4 letters)
- FRESH (5 letters)
- IMPUDENT (8 letters)
- PERT (4 letters)
- SASSY (5 letters)
- SAUCY (5 letters)
Each word fits the theme’s mix of playful boldness and disrespect: “fresh” and “impudent,” for example, can describe behavior that is overly familiar or boldly disrespectful, while “cheeky,” “sassy,” and “saucy” can convey teasing confidence.
How the puzzle works
Strands uses a 6-by-8 grid of 48 letters. Trace theme words through adjacent letters; the theme words do not overlap, and together they use every letter. The spangram summarizes the theme and connects two opposite sides of the board. In this puzzle, TALKINGBACK runs from the top edge to the bottom edge.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Use non-theme words for a hint
Finding three accepted non-theme words of at least four letters earns an in-game hint that reveals letters in a theme word. Wordhint lists ACES, BREE, CAPE, DESI, EACH, FREE, GEEK, HECK, INKS, ISLE, KEEL, and KEEN as accepted words for this puzzle. TechRadar lists TEACH, CLASS, CREPT, SHEEN, DUES, and STAIN as another accepted set. These are examples, not a required sequence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and where to play
TechRadar says a new Strands puzzle appears at midnight in each time zone and that the game is available on the NYT Games site on desktop and mobile. The answer above is for the dated February 26, 2026 puzzle; it does not change with later daily boards.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
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.
