Issue #216 Tue 23 Jul
Strands hints — July 23, 2024
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for the gaps in the layout. Precision and patience will see you through to the end.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The blue ribbon pinned to a lapel, the final whistle, the weight of the trophy in your hands.
Competitive achievement and top-tier status
INDIVIDUALS WHO FINISH FIRST
Spangram 4 nudges · 8 letters
The connector word
A single, eight-letter noun.
8 letters.
Starts with C, ends with N.
CHAMPION
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 E (9 letters)
- 2 I (6 letters)
- 3 P (7 letters)
- 4 S (11 letters)
- 5 S (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 EX (9 letters)
- 2 IC (6 letters)
- 3 PE (7 letters)
- 4 SU (11 letters)
- 5 SU (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
A grade beyond what was requested, marked in red ink at the top of a page.
9 letters.
Starts with E.
Starts with EX.
EXCELLENT
Theme word 2 of 5 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
The silhouette of a star that everyone recognizes from across the room.
6 letters.
Starts with I.
Starts with IC.
ICONIC
Theme word 3 of 5 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
No missed stitches, no stray marks, and every detail accounted for.
7 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PERFECT
Theme word 4 of 5 5 nudges · 11 letters
A theme word
The highest form of an adjective that leaves no room for debate.
11 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SU.
SUPERLATIVE
Theme word 5 of 5 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
The position held by the one person who answers to nobody else.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SU.
SUPREME