Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, March 1, 2026 (Puzzle #728). 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: "Dressing down"
What It Really Means
Today's theme is about verbal criticism and reprimands, words for scolding or chastising someone.
Think About...
- Verbal punishments or corrections
- Ways to express disapproval or criticism
- Synonyms for scolding or rebuking
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Three down, one across, four down, one across and three down
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This word captures the essence of today's theme, it's about criticism or reprimand.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think of a formal or strong word for scolding someone severely.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is T
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THERIOTACT
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A strong verbal criticism
Closer: To severely criticize or punish verbally
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 8 letters total
Answer
CASTIGATE
Word 2
Vague: A common word for reprimanding
Closer: To angrily tell someone they've done wrong
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SCOLD
Word 3
Vague: A formal rebuke
Closer: An official or formal criticism
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 9 letters total
Answer
REPRIMAND
Word 4
Vague: To criticize angrily
Closer: To scold or criticize severely
Letter Clue: Starts with U, 7 letters total
Answer
UPBRAID
Word 5
Vague: To warn or advise against something
Closer: To gently criticize or warn
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 8 letters total
Answer
ADMONISH
Full Answers
Spangram: THERIOTACT
Theme Words:
- CASTIGATE
- SCOLD
- REPRIMAND
- UPBRAID
- ADMONISH
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: UPBRAID (less common synonym for scolding that might not immediately come to mind)
Our Take: A solid vocabulary-focused puzzle with a clear theme. The "dressing down" prompt nicely ties together synonyms for criticism and reprimand. The spangram's complex path adds an extra layer of challenge beyond just finding the words.
