Issue #289 Tue 17 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 17, 2024
A busy day on the shelves of a local library. Today's grid offers a clean, straightforward path for those who enjoy a well-organized collection.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The dog-eared paperback you keep on the nightstand, its spine cracked from years of re-reading.
Categories of literature
LITERARY CATEGORIES
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
A single compound word formed from two nouns.
12 letters.
Starts with F, ends with E.
FICTIONGENRE
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (5 letters)
- 2 F (7 letters)
- 3 H (10 letters)
- 4 R (7 letters)
- 5 W (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CR (5 letters)
- 2 FA (7 letters)
- 3 HI (10 letters)
- 4 RO (7 letters)
- 5 WE (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Fingerprints in the dust and a heavy brass candlestick left near the study door.
5 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CR.
CRIME
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A rusted key that opens a gateway to a forest where the trees whisper back.
7 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FA.
FANTASY
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
Yellowed letters tied with twine, detailing the movements of a regiment in a bygone era.
10 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HI.
HISTORICAL
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Two coffee cups left on the porch, a lingering scent of jasmine, and a nervous check of the mailbox.
7 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RO.
ROMANCE
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A wide-brimmed hat left on a hitching post under a sun that never seems to set.
7 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WE.
WESTERN
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
- CRIME
- FANTASY
- HISTORICAL
- ROMANCE
- WESTERN
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 17, 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 17, 2024, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 17, 2024?
NYT Strands on December 17, 2024 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the December 17, 2024 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 12 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "F" — 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 17, 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 5 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 12-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 12-letter spangram