Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, February 16, 2026 (Puzzle #715). 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: "The cutting edge"
What It Really Means
This theme points to figure skating terminology, words and phrases associated with moves, techniques, and elements performed on ice.
Think About...
- Basic figure skating moves and jumps
- Technical elements in competitive skating
- Partner lifts and throws in pairs skating
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Up and around then down and to the right
Letter Count: 12 letters
Starting Zone: Second letter of the sixth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The entire sport this puzzle celebrates
Hint 2 (Warmer): What happens on ice with blades and choreography
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is F, last letter is G
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FIGURESKATING
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A fundamental skating move
Closer: When one foot crosses over the other
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 8 letters total
Answer
CROSSOVER
Word 2
Vague: An aerial element
Closer: Takes off from one foot, lands on the other
Letter Clue: Starts with J, 4 letters total
Answer
JUMP
Word 3
Vague: A circular pattern on ice
Closer: A jump that takes off and lands on the same edge
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total
Answer
LOOP
Word 4
Vague: Multiple elements linked together
Closer: Jump sequence in competition
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 5 letters total
Answer
COMBO
Word 5
Vague: A pairs skating element
Closer: One partner raises the other overhead
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total
Answer
LIFT
Word 6
Vague: Another pairs element
Closer: Partner launches the other into the air
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 5 letters total
Answer
THROW
Word 7
Vague: A rotational element
Closer: Fast rotation on one spot
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SPIN
Full Answers
Spangram: FIGURESKATING
Theme Words:
- CROSSOVER
- JUMP
- LOOP
- COMBO
- LIFT
- THROW
- SPIN
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: COMBO (Short and could be mistaken for a general term rather than specific skating jargon)
Our Take: A clean, focused theme that sticks to core figure skating terminology. The spangram orientation requires careful tracing across the board. Solid Monday puzzle that rewards skating knowledge without being overly obscure.
