Issue #140 Sun 21 Jul
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — July 21, 2024
A steady hand and a sharp eye serve you well in today's grid. The layout rewards those who can distinguish between the blunt and the keen.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Cold steel catching the morning light, a honed edge resting against the whetstone, the weight of a balanced grip in your palm.
Historical weaponry and cold steel implements
KEEN-EDGED HANDHELD TOOLS
Spangram 4 hints · 6 letters
The connector word
A standard six-letter noun.
6 letters.
Starts with B, ends with S.
BLADES
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (8 letters)
- 2 C (7 letters)
- 3 K (6 letters)
- 4 M (7 letters)
- 5 R (6 letters)
- 6 S (8 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CL (8 letters)
- 2 CU (7 letters)
- 3 KA (6 letters)
- 4 MA (7 letters)
- 5 RA (6 letters)
- 6 SC (8 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A hefty two-handed broadsword favored by Highland warriors in centuries past.
8 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CL.
CLAYMORE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The curved short sword famously carried by pirates on the high seas.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CU.
CUTLASS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A long, single-edged weapon used by the samurai of feudal Japan.
6 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KA.
KATANA
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A heavy tool frequently utilized for clearing dense tropical undergrowth.
7 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MACHETE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
This light, slender weapon was primarily designed for quick, precise thrusting.
6 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RA.
RAPIER
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A distinctively curved single-edged sword originating from the Middle East.
8 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCIMITAR
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
- CLAYMORE
- CUTLASS
- KATANA
- MACHETE
- RAPIER
- SCIMITAR
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on July 21, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for July 21, 2024, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on July 21, 2024?
NYT Strands on July 21, 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 July 21, 2024 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 6 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "B" — 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 July 21, 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 · 6-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 6-letter spangram