Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (Puzzle #779). 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: "Risky business"
What It Really Means
You're looking for words that describe people who take risks or engage in dangerous activities, think thrill-seekers and bold personalities.
Think About...
- Extreme sports enthusiasts and adventurers
- Synonyms for bravery and courage
- People who push boundaries and take chances
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Across, up, across, down and across
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): People who perform dangerous stunts for entertainment
Hint 2 (Warmer): Thrill-seekers who specialize in death-defying feats
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is D, last letter is S
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DAREDEVILS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Willing to try new things and take chances
Closer: Describes someone who seeks excitement and novel experiences
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 11 letters total
Answer
ADVENTUROUS
Word 2
Vague: Showing nerve and determination
Closer: Informal term for having courage or pluck
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 5 letters total
Answer
GUTSY
Word 3
Vague: Possessing moral strength in the face of danger
Closer: The quality of being brave and fearless
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 10 letters total
Answer
COURAGEOUS
Word 4
Vague: Fearless and adventurous
Closer: Describes explorers who venture into unknown territories
Letter Clue: Starts with I, 8 letters total
Answer
INTREPID
Word 5
Vague: Not afraid to take risks
Closer: Confident and willing to stand out from the crowd
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 4 letters total
Answer
BOLD
Full Answers
Spangram: DAREDEVILS
Theme Words:
- ADVENTUROUS
- GUTSY
- COURAGEOUS
- INTREPID
- BOLD
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: INTREPID (Less common vocabulary that might not immediately come to mind)
Our Take: A straightforward theme about risk-takers with clear synonyms. The spangram DAREDEVILS perfectly captures the essence of "risky business." The puzzle offers a good mix of common and slightly more challenging vocabulary, making it accessible while still requiring some thought.
