Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, January 5, 2026 (Puzzle #673). 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: "Slapped together"
What It Really Means
You're looking for words related to speed and messiness - things done hastily or without care.
Think About...
- Synonyms for fast or rapid
- Words describing dirt, grime, or uncleanliness
- Things done in a hurry without attention to detail
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Right to Left then Bottom
Letter Count: 13 letters
Starting Zone: Third row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): A phrase describing something done hastily with minimal effort
Hint 2 (Warmer): Often used to describe makeshift solutions or temporary fixes
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is Q, last letter is Y
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QUICKANDDIRTY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Fast-moving or energetic
Closer: Describes a fast pace or chilly weather
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BRISK
Word 2
Vague: Quick and nimble
Closer: A bird known for its speed, or a sudden movement
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SWIFT
Word 3
Vague: Fast-moving
Closer: Often describes delivery services or quick action
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SPEEDY
Word 4
Vague: Extremely dirty or unclean
Closer: Describes something morally corrupt or physically soiled
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 6 letters total
Answer
FILTHY
Word 5
Vague: Dirty or soiled
Closer: Often describes hands after gardening or children after playing outside
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 6 letters total
Answer
GRUBBY
Word 6
Vague: Marked or discolored
Closer: Describes clothing with marks that won't come out
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
STAINED
Full Answers
Spangram: QUICKANDDIRTY
Theme Words:
- BRISK
- SWIFT
- SPEEDY
- QUICKANDDIRTY
- FILTHY
- GRUBBY
- STAINED
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: GRUBBY (Less common than other dirt-related words, could be overlooked)
Our Take: Clever theme that combines speed and messiness. The spangram QUICKANDDIRTY perfectly captures both halves of the puzzle. Good mix of common and slightly less obvious words keeps it engaging without being frustrating.
