Issue #28 Sun 31 Mar
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — March 31, 2024
A quiet Sunday grid that rewards a steady hand and a bit of patience. Today's puzzle offers a classic layout that should feel familiar to those who enjoy a brisk walk through the alphabet.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Flipping a switch in a pitch-black hallway, or the way a city skyline cuts through the evening clouds.
Sources of artificial and natural radiance
WAYS TO BANISH THE DARK
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
A single twelve-letter noun
12 letters.
Starts with I, ends with N.
ILLUMINATION
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (10 letters)
- 2 B (4 letters)
- 3 F (7 letters)
- 4 L (7 letters)
- 5 N (4 letters)
- 6 S (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AN (10 letters)
- 2 BU (4 letters)
- 3 FI (7 letters)
- 4 LA (7 letters)
- 5 NE (4 letters)
- 6 ST (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
A deep-sea predator that uses its own built-in bait to lure prey in the crushing black of the abyss.
10 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AN.
ANGLERFISH
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
Screw this into the ceiling socket and watch the room transform from dim to functional.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BU.
BULB
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Watching these blink in the tall grass is a quiet rite of passage during humid midsummer nights.
7 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FI.
FIREFLY
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Carry this handheld device to guide your way along a dark forest trail after the sun dips below the horizon.
7 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LA.
LANTERN
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The buzzing, vibrant gas-filled tubes that give roadside motels and diners their unmistakable glow.
4 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NE.
NEON
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A pinprick of ancient, distant heat visible only when the sky is clear and the city lights are far away.
4 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STAR
Spoiler zone
Complete Strands answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Reveal the spangram
Reveal all theme words
- ANGLERFISH
- BULB
- FIREFLY
- LANTERN
- NEON
- STAR
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on March 31, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for March 31, 2024, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on March 31, 2024?
NYT Strands on March 31, 2024 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 6 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the March 31, 2024 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 12 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "I" — the hints above ease you toward the rest one step at a time, without spelling it out.
What is the theme of NYT Strands on March 31, 2024?
We keep the theme under wraps here so nothing is spoiled — but the ladder above walks you into it, starting with the puzzle's overall vibe. Want it stated outright, with the spangram and all 6 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 12-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 12-letter spangram