Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, May 25, 2026 (Puzzle #813). 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: "Thank you"
What It Really Means
This puzzle asks you to find words tied to gratitude, remembrance, and paying respects. Given the date, it's a Memorial Day-themed grid -- words connected to honoring those who served and sacrificed.
Think About...
- Concepts associated with military service and duty
- Words tied to recognition and tribute
- Qualities we honor in those who serve
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Vertical-Horizontal (steps down across the grid)
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the first row, top-left corner
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This spangram is a calendar event that explains why we're thanking people today.
Hint 2 (Warmer): A late-May federal holiday that honors fallen military personnel.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is M, last letter is Y
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MEMORIALDAY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Work done for a cause or country
Closer: Military duty or a helpful act performed for others
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SERVICE
Word 2
Vague: A form of deep respect
Closer: What you give to someone who has earned recognition or esteem
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 5 letters total
Answer
HONOR
Word 3
Vague: A commendable quality or trait
Closer: Moral excellence or uprightness often associated with character
Letter Clue: Starts with V, 6 letters total
Answer
VIRTUE
Word 4
Vague: Something that keeps you safe
Closer: The act of safeguarding others, a core mission of those who serve
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 10 letters total
Answer
PROTECTION
Word 5
Vague: Giving something up for a greater cause
Closer: The ultimate price paid by those who serve their country
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 9 letters total
Answer
SACRIFICE
Full Answers
Spangram: MEMORIALDAY
Theme Words:
- SERVICE
- HONOR
- VIRTUE
- PROTECTION
- SACRIFICE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: VIRTUE (Less directly tied to military service than the other words, it requires a broader interpretation of the qualities we honor)
Our Take: A fitting Memorial Day puzzle that leans on weighty themes rather than wordplay gimmicks. The spangram MEMORIALDAY sets the tone immediately, and the five theme words -- SERVICE, HONOR, VIRTUE, PROTECTION, SACRIFICE -- form a tight thematic cluster. If you caught the holiday connection early, the words fell into place quickly. Solid execution for a Monday puzzle.
