Today's NYT Strands is live for Thursday, February 12, 2026 (Puzzle #711). 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: "Sink or swim"
What It Really Means
This theme points to situations with significant consequences, moments where the outcome matters greatly, with little room for error.
Think About...
- High-pressure scenarios where failure isn't an option
- Critical decisions that determine success or failure
- Make-or-break moments in business, sports, or life
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to bottom
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: Third letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about situations where the consequences are significant and the pressure is intense.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This term describes scenarios where the outcome carries substantial weight, often used in gambling, business, and high-pressure competitions.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is H, last letter is S
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HIGHSTAKES
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Something absolutely necessary or required
Closer: Describes a command or requirement that must be followed
Letter Clue: Starts with I, 10 letters total
Answer
IMPERATIVE
Word 2
Vague: Involving potential danger or loss
Closer: Describes actions with uncertain outcomes that could go wrong
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 5 letters total
Answer
RISKY
Word 3
Vague: Of crucial importance
Closer: Describes a central or turning point in a situation
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 7 letters total
Answer
PIVOTAL
Word 4
Vague: Settling an issue or producing a definite result
Closer: Describes moments that determine outcomes
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 8 letters total
Answer
DECISIVE
Word 5
Vague: Extremely important or essential
Closer: Describes moments that require careful judgment or analysis
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 8 letters total
Answer
CRITICAL
Full Answers
Spangram: HIGHSTAKES
Theme Words:
- IMPERATIVE
- RISKY
- PIVOTAL
- DECISIVE
- CRITICAL
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: IMPERATIVE (10 letters makes it the longest word to spot in the grid)
Our Take: A solid thematic puzzle that explores pressure-cooker scenarios. The "sink or swim" prompt cleverly ties together words describing high-consequence situations. Finding all five theme words requires careful grid navigation, especially with the lengthy IMPERATIVE weaving through the board.
