Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, April 6, 2026 (Puzzle #764). 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: "Fringe group"
What It Really Means
You're looking for words that describe the outer edges, boundaries, or extreme limits of something.
Think About...
- Synonyms for edges, borders, or perimeters
- Words describing the outermost parts of objects or concepts
- Terms for boundaries or dividing lines
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Down, across and up
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the sixth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about the absolute boundaries or extreme edges of something.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This phrase describes the outermost reaches or limits of a system, concept, or physical space.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is O, last letter is S
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OUTERLIMITS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: The line where something ends.
Closer: The sharp side of a blade or the perimeter of a shape.
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 4 letters total
Answer
EDGE
Word 2
Vague: The farthest point or limit.
Closer: The outermost part or the point of greatest intensity.
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 9 letters total
Answer
EXTREMITY
Word 3
Vague: The point just before something happens.
Closer: The edge of a cliff or the verge of a decision.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BRINK
Word 4
Vague: The border or threshold.
Closer: The point at which something is about to occur.
Letter Clue: Starts with V, 5 letters total
Answer
VERGE
Word 5
Vague: The space around the edge.
Closer: The blank space on the side of a page or the edge of acceptability.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 6 letters total
Answer
MARGIN
Word 6
Vague: The dividing line.
Closer: The limit that separates two areas or concepts.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 8 letters total
Answer
BOUNDARY
Full Answers
Spangram: OUTERLIMITS
Theme Words:
- EDGE
- EXTREMITY
- BRINK
- VERGE
- MARGIN
- BOUNDARY
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: EXTREMITY (9 letters can be challenging to spot in the grid, especially with its unusual letter combination)
Our Take: A clean, thematic puzzle that sticks to its concept without unnecessary complexity. The "fringe group" theme works perfectly with the spangram OUTERLIMITS, creating a cohesive set of boundary-related words. The puzzle offers a satisfying solve without being overly obscure.
