Today's NYT Strands is live for Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (Puzzle #808). 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: "No rush"
What It Really Means
Everything in this puzzle points to the opposite of hurry. You're looking for words that describe a state of ease, unhurried movement, or a complete lack of urgency.
Think About...
- Words that describe a slow pace or relaxed atmosphere
- Synonyms for "chill" or "unbothered"
- States of being that feel like a deep breath
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Vertical
Letter Count: 12 letters
Starting Zone: Fourth letter of the first row, running top to bottom
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase is something you'd say to someone who's rushing unnecessarily.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's a four-word instruction that rhymes with "make your time."
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is E
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TAKEYOURTIME
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: The opposite of harsh or aggressive.
Closer: A soft, tender approach to something or someone.
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 6 letters total
Answer
GENTLE
Word 2
Vague: The absence of chaos or noise.
Closer: A state of peace, often found on a still lake or a quiet morning.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 4 letters total
Answer
CALM
Word 3
Vague: Not tense. Not wound up. Not stressed.
Closer: The feeling after you sink into a comfortable chair at the end of a long day.
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 7 letters total
Answer
RELAXED
Word 4
Vague: Moving without any sense of urgency.
Closer: A Sunday morning stroll rather than a power-walk.
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 9 letters total
Answer
LEISURELY
Word 5
Vague: The opposite of fast.
Closer: A pace that makes a snail look speedy.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SLOW
Word 6
Vague: Serene and undisturbed.
Closer: Water so still it looks like glass, or a temperament that nothing rattles.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total
Answer
PLACID
Full Answers
Spangram: TAKEYOURTIME
Theme Words:
- GENTLE
- CALM
- RELAXED
- LEISURELY
- SLOW
- PLACID
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: PLACID (Less common in everyday vocabulary, so it might take an extra moment to surface compared to the more obvious choices like SLOW or CALM.)
Our Take: Puzzle #808 is a low-stress welcome mat for new and veteran Strands players alike. The theme is straightforward, the word list is tight, and the spangram TAKEYOURTIME practically winks at you. If you're looking for a quick solve to start your Wednesday, this one delivers without any hair-pulling.
