The New York Times Strands puzzle for November 24th, #631, centers around equestrian themes. If you’re stuck, here’s a breakdown of how to solve it, including hints and the complete answer set.
Understanding the Puzzle
Strands tasks players with identifying hidden words within a letter grid, all tied to a specific theme. The core mechanic involves finding words of four letters or more to unlock theme-related hints. The ultimate goal is to uncover all theme words, including the spangram—a longer word that spans the entire grid.
Hints and Solution
The theme for today’s puzzle is Horsing Around. A helpful clue is: Giddy Up!
To unlock in-game hints, start by finding any four-letter-or-longer words. Some examples include:
- GALE
- REGAL
- GAIN
- ROOM
- MOOR
- JOCK
- WARN
Once you identify three qualifying words, the puzzle will reveal a theme word.
Today’s Answers
The complete set of answers for today’s Strands puzzle is as follows:
- GROOM
- JOCKEY
- FARRIER
- VETERINARIAN
- WRANGLER
The spangram, which spans the entire grid, is EQUESTRIAN. Begin with the ‘E’ in the fourth row, first column, and trace the letters diagonally upward and across to complete the word.
Most Challenging Strands Puzzles
Some of the most difficult puzzles in recent weeks include:
- Dated Slang (Jan. 21): The word PHAT proved particularly challenging for many players.
- Thar She Blows! (Jan. 15): Terms like BALEEN or RIGHT tested players’ knowledge of marine biology.
Solving Strands effectively requires patience, a willingness to experiment with letter combinations, and the ability to recognize thematic connections. If you’re struggling, focus on building words and let the puzzle guide you toward the final solution.
