Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, August 23, 2026 (Puzzle #903). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "An epic journey"
What It Really Means
You are hunting for figures, places, and objects tied to a single ancient Greek homecoming tale.
Think About...
- Think of a seafaring hero struggling to return home.
- Recall the creatures and temptations encountered along the way.
- Look beyond characters to settings, titles, and travel equipment.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Row 8, letter 6
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The connecting entry is the name of the ancient work behind every clue.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It is Homer's poem about a warrior's long return to Ithaca.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is Y
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THEODYSSEY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A singular feature defines this mythical giant.
Closer: Odysseus escapes this one-eyed giant after blinding him.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
CYCLOPS
Word 2
Vague: A crowned ruler.
Closer: The royal title held by the ruler of Ithaca.
Letter Clue: Starts with K, 4 letters total
Answer
KING
Word 3
Vague: A vessel built for travel over water.
Closer: Odysseus and his crew cross the sea aboard one.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SHIP
Word 4
Vague: Their appeal is as dangerous as it is beautiful.
Closer: Their enchanting song draws sailors toward disaster.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SIRENS
Word 5
Vague: A group hoping to win someone's hand.
Closer: They crowd Penelope's home and compete to marry her.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SUITORS
Word 6
Vague: A realm reached by descending beyond mortal life.
Closer: The hero visits this land of the dead to consult a prophet.
Letter Clue: Starts with U, 10 letters total
Answer
UNDERWORLD
Full Answers
Spangram: THEODYSSEY
Theme Words:
- CYCLOPS
- KING
- SHIP
- SIRENS
- SUITORS
- UNDERWORLD
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, because several entries are broad nouns until the Homeric connection clicks.
Trickiest Word: KING is the likeliest stall, since it is a broad four-letter title with little thematic force on its own.
Our Take: THE ODYSSEY gives the set a strong narrative spine. CYCLOPS and SIRENS supply vivid mythic encounters, while KING, SHIP, SUITORS, and UNDERWORLD cover royal status, travel, conflict at home, and the journey's darkest detour.
