Today's NYT Strands is live for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (Puzzle #752). 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: "Intermission mission"
What It Really Means
You're looking for items you'd buy or get during a break in a performance or event, specifically, snack bar or concession stand offerings.
Think About...
- Movie theater snacks and drinks
- Stadium or arena food items
- Quick bites you'd grab during halftime or intermission
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to bottom in a serpentine formation
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: Third letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about what you'd call the area where you buy snacks during a break.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This word describes both the snacks themselves and the stands that sell them.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is C, last letter is S
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CONCESSIONS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A classic salty snack often served hot
Closer: Thin, crispy potato strips
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 5 letters total
Answer
FRIES
Word 2
Vague: The quintessential movie theater snack
Closer: Light, fluffy, buttery corn kernels
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 7 letters total
Answer
POPCORN
Word 3
Vague: A carbonated beverage
Closer: Often served with ice in a cup
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SODA
Word 4
Vague: The most basic drink option
Closer: Clear, refreshing, and often free
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 5 letters total
Answer
WATER
Word 5
Vague: An adult beverage option
Closer: Often served in a plastic cup at sporting events
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 4 letters total
Answer
BEER
Word 6
Vague: A sweet treat option
Closer: Chocolate bars, gummies, or licorice
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 5 letters total
Answer
CANDY
Word 7
Vague: A salty, twisted snack
Closer: Often served with mustard or cheese dip
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 7 letters total
Answer
PRETZEL
Full Answers
Spangram: CONCESSIONS
Theme Words:
- FRIES
- POPCORN
- SODA
- WATER
- BEER
- CANDY
- PRETZEL
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: WATER (It's so basic that players might overlook it while hunting for more "snack-like" items)
Our Take: A straightforward theme with familiar concession stand items makes this puzzle accessible. The "intermission mission" prompt cleverly hints at the break-time snack run without giving away the exact category. All words are common and recognizable, making this a solid entry-level puzzle for new Strands players.
