NYT Strands hints, answers for May 16

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 16
By: Mashable Posted On: May 16, 2025 View: 5

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: To a degree

The words are education-related.

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things found at an educational ceremony.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Graduation

NYT Strands word list for May 16

  • Speech

  • Diploma

  • Photo

  • Graduation

  • Procession

  • Tassel

  • Gown

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Topics Strands

Read this on Mashable Header Banner
  Contact Us
  • 40 Baria Sreet 133/2 NewYork City
  • hello@atheme.com
  • +88-111-555-666
  Follow Us
  About

LOL Nigeria Newspilot brings you the latest news and. trends.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to our use of cookies.
Read more I agree