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For NYT Strands game #425, dated Friday, May 2, 2025, the theme clue is “What a trill!” The hints below move from subtle to revealing; stop before the spoiler section if you want to solve the board yourself.
Hints for Strands #425
1. Start with the theme clue
“What a trill!”
2. A gentle nudge
Think of melodic sounds made by an animal.
3. In-game hint words
These non-theme words may help unlock in-game hints: SEEK, CROWS, BIND, LAID, GLAD, and SOCK.
4. Spangram shape
The spangram has nine letters and connects the left and right edges of the board at row three.
5. First-letter cues
In the order reported by Parade, the theme-word initials are CH, SP, CA, WR, WA, and LA. The spangram begins SO.
How the hints and board work
Parade reports the NYT instructions as: “Find theme words to fill the board.” Players drag or tap letters to form words; when tapping, double-tap the final letter to submit. Theme words fill the board and do not overlap. The spangram describes the theme, touches two opposite sides of the board, and highlights yellow; theme words highlight blue. According to Parade’s account, finding three non-theme words earns a hint that reveals letters of a theme word.
Spoilers: answers for Friday, May 2
Stop here if you do not want the solutions revealed.
- CHICKADEE
- SPARROW
- CARDINAL
- WREN
- WARBLER
- LARK
Spangram: SONGBIRDS
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which puzzle is this?
This is Strands game #425, identified by both TechRadar and Parade as the Friday, May 2, 2025 puzzle. TechRadar’s page carries a May 1 publication date, while Parade’s is dated May 2; the differing dates reflect publication or time-zone conventions, not separate puzzles. The two guides report the same theme clue and answers.
Quick Recap
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