Issue #281 Mon 9 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 9, 2024
A quiet shift in the grid today, requiring a steady hand to navigate. The letters remain exactly as they appear, though not all of them ask to be heard.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A handwritten note where the ink refuses to mark the page, leaving a ghost of the intended character.
English orthography and linguistic quirks
UNPRONOUNCED ORTHOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
Compound noun
12 letters.
Starts with S, ends with R.
SILENTLETTER
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 G (5 letters)
- 2 H (7 letters)
- 3 K (7 letters)
- 4 M (8 letters)
- 5 P (5 letters)
- 6 W (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 GN (5 letters)
- 2 HO (7 letters)
- 3 KN (7 letters)
- 4 MN (8 letters)
- 5 PS (5 letters)
- 6 WR (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A garden ornament that stands perfectly still while the petunias grow.
5 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GN.
GNOME
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The quality of being entirely truthful, even when the situation is difficult.
7 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HO.
HONESTY
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The joint of a finger that turns white when you grip a steering wheel too tightly.
7 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KN.
KNUCKLE
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A simple trick or phrase used to help you remember a long list of items.
8 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MN.
MNEMONIC
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A sacred song or poem often recited in a house of worship.
5 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PS.
PSALM
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The protective layer of paper around a gift, or a sandwich folded in a thin sheet.
4 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WR.
WRAP
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
- GNOME
- HONESTY
- KNUCKLE
- MNEMONIC
- PSALM
- WRAP
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 9, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for December 9, 2024, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 9, 2024?
NYT Strands on December 9, 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 December 9, 2024 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 12 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "S" — 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 December 9, 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