Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, June 22, 2026 (Puzzle #841). 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: "Heebie-jeebies"
What It Really Means
This puzzle is all about the physical sensations and colloquial names for fear, anxiety, and nervousness. Think of every creepy-crawly feeling that makes you squirm or sends a chill down your spine.
Think About...
- Informal terms for being scared or uneasy
- Physical reactions to fear or anxiety
- Words that describe a creeping sense of dread
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonal and winding across the board
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of the prickly skin reaction you get when something really spooks you.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This word describes the raised bumps on your skin when you're cold or terrified.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is G, last letter is S
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GOOSEBUMPS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: An old-timey term for a feeling of nervousness or unease.
Closer: It can also mean a strong desire or craving, but here it's all about the creepy feeling.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 7 letters total
Answer
WILLIES
Word 2
Vague: A fluttering sensation often felt in your stomach before a big moment.
Closer: This word describes what you get in your stomach when you're nervous or excited.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 11 letters total
Answer
BUTTERFLIES
Word 3
Vague: A state of nervous restlessness or anxiety.
Closer: If someone has a case of these, they're edgy, nervous, and can't sit still.
Letter Clue: Starts with J, 7 letters total
Answer
JITTERS
Word 4
Vague: A trembling sensation often caused by cold or fear.
Closer: This word describes the involuntary shaking you do when something sends a chill through you.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SHIVERS
Word 5
Vague: A feeling that something is crawling on your skin.
Closer: When something gives you the... well, it means it disturbs or disgusts you deeply.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CREEPS
Full Answers
Spangram: GOOSEBUMPS
Theme Words:
- WILLIES
- BUTTERFLIES
- JITTERS
- SHIVERS
- CREEPS
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: BUTTERFLIES (11 letters are hard to spot in a tight grid, and it's the longest word on the board)
Our Take: This Monday puzzle keeps things light with a single, cohesive theme that's easy to grasp. The spangram GOOSEBUMPS ties everything together neatly, and once you crack that, the remaining words fall into place quickly. A smooth start to the week.
