Strands Answers — November 8, 2026

    The theme, spangram, and all answers for this day’s Strands.

    Daily brief

    Strands

    Sunday, November 8, 2026

    pending

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Today's verified puzzle data is not available yet. Spoiler-safe hints will appear after the source checks complete.

    Strands Puzzle

    Sunday, November 8, 2026

    Puzzle Theme

    Disciplined combat

    Total Theme Words: 5

    Puzzle Grid

    U
    J
    C
    K
    B
    I
    D
    K
    I
    O
    X
    N
    O
    R
    T
    I
    A
    G
    A
    U
    R
    A
    K
    L
    M
    S
    A
    T
    E
    A
    N
    T
    N
    D
    O
    R
    I
    U
    O
    W
    K
    T
    N
    J
    T
    A
    E
    S

    Solver Results

    Theme Words Found:

    • JUDO
    • KARATE
    • KICKBOXING
    • NINJUTSU
    • TAEKWONDO

    Spangram:MARTIALARTS

    The spangram is the word that touches two opposite sides of the board.

    The Strands spangram for Sunday, November 8, 2026 was MARTIALARTS, with the theme “Disciplined combat”.

    Automated analysis

    This puzzle looks like it leaned toward the easier side, mainly because of its clear theme. The clue "Disciplined combat" points toward martial arts, and the spangram, MARTIALARTS, spells out that category at eleven letters. Its length is almost identical to the recent average of eleven point one, so it offered no unusual length to untangle. Once a solver spots it, the five theme words are all recognizable examples: JUDO, KARATE, KICKBOXING, NINJUTSU, and TAEKWONDO. None of them has appeared in a prior puzzle, and neither has the spangram, so there was no repeat to lean on, but the category is easy to fill in from general knowledge. Some features add friction. The theme words average seven point four letters, against a recent mean of six point four, so the words run longer than usual. KICKBOXING, at ten letters, is the longest, and the spangram is only one letter longer. Long words can wind across the board and are harder to isolate by sight. On the other hand, there are only five theme words, compared with a recent mean of five point eight, which leaves fewer words to find. Overall, the clear theme likely outweighs the longer words.

    Automated analysis — generated from this puzzle's data; may contain errors.

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-11-07

    Theme
    In the blink of an eye
    Spangram
    WHATSTHEHURRY
    Theme Words
    • Word
      FLASH
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
    • Word
      HURTLE
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      move with or as if with a rushing sound
    • Word
      RUSH
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner
    • Word
      STREAK
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an unbroken series of events
    • Word
      WHIZ
      Scrabble Score
      19
      Wwf Score
      18
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
    • Word
      WHOOSH
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the noise produced by the sudden rush of a fluid (a gas or liquid)
    • Word
      ZOOM
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      16
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a rapid rise

    Source verification

    Sources
    1
    Agreement
    single
    Confidence
    pending
    • 1: verified (0 ms)

    Checked 2026-11-08T07:30:01.990Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-11-07 — theme: In the blink of an eye · spangram: WHATSTHEHURRY · themeWords: FLASH, HURTLE, RUSH, STREAK, WHIZ, WHOOSH, ZOOM · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 383
    • 2026-11-06 — theme: Autumn walk in the woods · spangram: FORESTFLOOR · themeWords: ACORN, BRANCH, HUSK, LEAVES, MOSS, PINECONE, TWIG · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 963
    • 2026-11-05 — theme: Handle with care · spangram: GIVEMEABREAK · themeWords: BREAD, CHARACTER, DANCING, FAITH, GROUND, WIND · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 784
    • 2026-11-04 — theme: Getting the job done · spangram: HUMANRESOURCES · themeWords: LABOR, PEOPLE, PERSONNEL, STAFF, WORKFORCE · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 783
    • 2026-11-03 — theme: I've got a song in my heart · spangram: BELTITOUT · themeWords: BALLADEER, CHORISTER, CROONER, SINGER, VOCALIST · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1173
    • 2026-11-02 — theme: High and mighty · spangram: MOUNTAINTOP · themeWords: CLIFF, GLACIER, PEAK, RIDGE, SADDLE, SNOW, SUMMIT · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1028
    • 2026-11-01 — theme: For the rest of the day · spangram: ZZZZZZZZ · themeWords: CATNAP, DOZE, DROWSE, SIESTA, SLEEP, SLUMBER, SNOOZE · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 619
    • 2026-10-31 — theme: It's in the bag · spangram: TRICKORTREAT · themeWords: APPLE, CANDY, FANGS, RING, STICKER, TOOTHBRUSH · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 939
    • 2026-10-30 — theme: All charged up · spangram: PLUGGEDIN · themeWords: CURRENT, ELECTRICITY, ENERGY, JUICE, POWER, SPARK · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 621
    • 2026-10-29 — theme: Double, double toil and trouble · spangram: CAULDRON · themeWords: BLOOD, BUBBLE, FIRE, LIZARD, NEWT, SNAKE, TONGUE, WORM · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 735
    • 2026-10-28 — theme: Comedy club · spangram: FUNNYBUSINESS · themeWords: BURLESQUE, FARCE, IMPROV, SKETCH, SLAPSTICK · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 718
    • 2026-10-27 — theme: Who ya gonna call? · spangram: EXTERMINATOR · themeWords: ANTS, COCKROACHES, MICE, RATS, TERMITES, TICKS · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1160
    • 2026-10-26 — theme: Please, be my guest! · spangram: HOSPITALITY · themeWords: ENTERTAIN, HOST, INVITE, MEET, RECEIVE, WELCOME · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 680
    • 2026-10-25 — theme: Something to build on · spangram: FOUNDATIONS · themeWords: FRAMEWORK, SCAFFOLDING, SKELETON, STRUCTURE · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 861

    Archive statistics

    Theme Word Length Distribution
    4
    384
    5
    520
    6
    472
    7
    362
    8
    244
    9
    161
    10
    95
    11
    47
    12
    11
    13
    4
    14
    1
    15
    1
    Spangram Length Distribution
    6
    15
    7
    20
    8
    38
    9
    49
    10
    69
    11
    66
    12
    45
    13
    47
    14
    24
    15
    13
    16
    4
    Orientation Split
    Unknown
    390
    Average Non Theme Word Count
    945.8

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20261108T074502Z

    ← Browse all past Strands answers

    How Strands Works

    Strands is a word search game within a 6x8 grid of letters. Players must find words that fall under a specific theme.

    • The board must be filled entirely to complete the puzzle - no words overlap
    • Each game includes a challenge word called the "spangram" that touches two opposite sides of the board
    • All words must be at least 4 letters long
    • Words can be formed by connecting adjacent letters (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)

    More Strands help

    Strands Tips & StrategyStrands Archive

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the spangram in NYT Strands?

    The spangram is a special word in Strands that spans from one side of the board to the opposite side. It's usually related to the puzzle's theme and is highlighted in yellow when found. Every Strands puzzle has exactly one spangram.

    How do I play NYT Strands?

    Connect adjacent letters (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) to form words related to the daily theme. Find all theme words plus the spangram to complete the puzzle. The entire board must be filled with no overlapping words.

    How many words are in a Strands puzzle?

    Each Strands puzzle typically contains 6-8 theme words plus one spangram. The exact number varies daily but all words must fit together to fill the entire 6x8 grid without overlapping.

    Strands strategy & tips

    Start from the theme, anchor on the spangram

    Every Strands board has a theme (shown as the day’s clue) and one spangram — a special word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the grid and sums up the theme. Finding the spangram early is the fastest way in, because it confirms what the theme really means and frees up the rest of the board.

    Read the clue literally and figuratively. Strands clues are often puns, so “The ears have it” might point to parts of an ear or to homophones of “hear.” Decide which reading the board supports before you start tracing words. Our Strands tips guide covers spangram-hunting in more detail.

    How letters connect

    Words are formed by connecting adjacent letters — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — and a single letter can bend the path in any direction. Every letter on the board belongs to exactly one theme word or the spangram, with no leftovers and no overlaps, so the grid is effectively a perfect packing puzzle.

    Because there are no spare letters, a letter you can’t fit into any obvious word is a strong signal you’re missing a longer or less obvious theme word.

    Use the hint system on purpose

    Found a valid English word that isn’t a theme word? It’s not wasted — every three non-theme words you find unlocks a hint that highlights where one theme word lives. If you’re stuck, deliberately hunting ordinary words is a legitimate way to earn a hint and break the logjam.

    This makes Strands forgiving: there’s no penalty for guessing, only progress toward hints, so explore freely when the theme isn’t clicking.

    Scan the board efficiently

    • Look for long words first — theme words are often 6+ letters, and long words eat up more of the board, leaving fewer ambiguous letters.
    • Work from the corners and edges inward; edge letters have fewer neighbors, so their possible words are easier to enumerate.
    • Once you place the spangram, the letters it consumes split the remaining board into smaller regions you can solve independently.
    • If two theme words seem to compete for the same letters, the longer interpretation is usually correct (no letter goes unused).

    When you’re truly stuck

    Re-read the theme and brainstorm a list of words that fit it before touching the board — then look for those words’ letters rather than scanning blindly. If a word you’re sure fits the theme won’t trace on the board, it’s the wrong synonym; Strands wants the specific set the setter chose.

    A new Strands publishes daily at midnight Eastern with a fresh theme and spangram — and you can revisit any earlier board in the Strands archive.

    More NYT puzzle help