Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, May 16, 2026 (Puzzle #804). 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: "Bon appetit!"
What It Really Means
This puzzle is a culinary trip to France. Every theme word is a classic French pastry or dessert you'd find in a patisserie. The spangram ties it all together as the place where these treats are made and sold.
Think About...
- Light, airy desserts made with whipped egg whites and sugar
- Buttery, flaky breakfast pastries shaped like crescents
- Delicate filled treats with smooth, creamy centers
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Horizontal
Letter Count: 12 letters
Starting Zone: Top-left corner, first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of the place where a French baker works their magic.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's the establishment where you'd buy a croissant, eclair, or macaron.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is F, last letter is Y
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FRENCHBAKERY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A light, cloud-like dessert with a crispy exterior and soft interior.
Closer: This French dessert is made from whipped egg whites and sugar, often baked until crisp.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 8 letters total
Answer
MERINGUE
Word 2
Vague: A small, colorful sandwich cookie with a smooth filling.
Closer: This delicate French confection features two almond meringue discs held together by ganache or buttercream.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 7 letters total
Answer
MACARON
Word 3
Vague: A flaky, buttery breakfast pastry with a distinctive curved shape.
Closer: This laminated dough pastry is a staple of French bakeries, often enjoyed with coffee.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 9 letters total
Answer
CROISSANT
Word 4
Vague: An oblong pastry filled with cream and topped with chocolate.
Closer: This elongated choux pastry is filled with pastry cream and finished with a chocolate glaze.
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 6 letters total
Answer
ECLAIR
Word 5
Vague: A silky, airy dessert that's whipped to perfection.
Closer: This French dessert is made from whipped cream or egg whites folded with chocolate or fruit puree for a light, mousse-like texture.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 6 letters total
Answer
MOUSSE
Full Answers
Spangram: FRENCHBAKERY
Theme Words:
- MERINGUE
- MACARON
- CROISSANT
- ECLAIR
- MOUSSE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: MERINGUE (It's easy to confuse with "macaron" since both start with M and involve egg whites, but meringue is the standalone baked confection while macaron is the sandwich cookie.)
Our Take: A straightforward Saturday offering that leans into universally recognized French patisserie staples. The grid is generous with common letter patterns, making this one solvable without much struggle. Perfect weekend warm-up for Strands regulars and a gentle introduction for anyone new to the game.
