Issue #2721 Sun 17 May
Letter Boxed hints — May 17, 2026
Twelve letters around a square — NYT's reference chain links 2 words.
Theme
Chain words using all twelve letters around the square.
First word 5 nudges · 10 letters
First word
The lazy direction — where a dropped leaf drifts on its own, and where whatever you spill eventually ends up affecting everyone below.
10 letters.
Starts with D.
D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
DOWNSTREAM
Second word 5 nudges · 3 letters
Second word
The blurred middle ground where two separate things stop being two.
3 letters.
Starts with M.
M _ _
MIX