Today's Strands clue is "Hike!". Use the hints below to find the theme words and the spangram.
Welcome back, puzzle pals. Take your time, and let the grid reveal its secrets.
KLESUTCDATPHAIUMRGTOOTBIFPASSAKIKLLDCURAOWHSYLPN
Theme nudge: What to look for
Look for clues tied to a gridiron game and its common moves.
Hint 1: How many words to find
There are 8 theme words plus one spangram.
Hint 2: The spangram
The spangram has 8 letters, starts with F, and runs from one side of the board to the other.
Hint 3: Theme word lengths and first letters
- 4 letters, starts with D
- 4 letters, starts with K
- 4 letters, starts with P
- 4 letters, starts with P
- 4 letters, starts with R
- 7 letters, starts with S
- 6 letters, starts with T
- 7 letters, starts with U
Show the spangram
FOOTBALL
Show all theme words
DOWN, KICK, PASS, PLAY, RUSH, STADIUM, TACKLE, UPRIGHT
About this puzzle
- Made by Isaac Aronow
- Edited by Tracy Bennett
Strands deep dive
More about today's puzzle. Everything in this section can include the answer.
The solved board
KLESUTCDATPHAIUMRGTOOTBIFPASSAKIKLLDCURAOWHSYLPN
Gold squares are the spangram, green squares are theme words.
What the theme words mean
- DOWN: (comparable) From a higher position to a lower one; downwards.
- KICK: (transitive) To strike or hit with the foot or other extremity of the leg.
- PASS: To change place.
- PLAY: (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreat...
- RUSH: A sudden forward motion.
- STADIUM: A venue where sporting events are held.
- TACKLE: (sports, countable) A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or foo...
- UPRIGHT: Vertical; erect.
Play today's Strands at The New York Times
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