Issue #318 Wed 15 Jan
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — January 15, 2025
The water is deep and the currents are unpredictable today. This grid demands a steady hand and a willingness to look beneath the surface.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Salt spray on a jacket, the distant sound of a blowhole, and a massive shadow moving slowly through the dark Pacific.
Marine biology and ocean life
LARGE AQUATIC MAMMALS
Spangram 4 hints · 6 letters
The connector word
A simple six-letter plural noun
6 letters.
Starts with W, ends with S.
WHALES
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (6 letters)
- 2 B (6 letters)
- 3 B (4 letters)
- 4 G (4 letters)
- 5 H (8 letters)
- 6 O (4 letters)
- 7 R (5 letters)
- 8 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BA (6 letters)
- 2 BE (6 letters)
- 3 BL (4 letters)
- 4 GR (4 letters)
- 5 HU (8 letters)
- 6 OR (4 letters)
- 7 RI (5 letters)
- 8 SP (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Filtering systems found in the mouths of massive filter-feeders.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BALEEN
Theme word 2 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A snowy-white creature often found in the chilly Arctic waters.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BELUGA
Theme word 3 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The largest animal known to have existed in history.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BL.
BLUE
Theme word 4 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A migratory species that sports a mottled, barnacle-covered coat.
4 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GR.
GRAY
Theme word 5 of 8 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Named for the distinct arching of its back before a deep dive.
8 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HU.
HUMPBACK
Theme word 6 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A predatory apex hunter with a distinctive black-and-white pattern.
4 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OR.
ORCA
Theme word 7 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Historically targeted by hunters because they were slow and floated when killed.
5 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RI.
RIGHT
Theme word 8 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Famous for its massive head and its role in maritime literature.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SP.
SPERM
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
- BALEEN
- BELUGA
- BLUE
- GRAY
- HUMPBACK
- ORCA
- RIGHT
- SPERM
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on January 15, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for January 15, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on January 15, 2025?
NYT Strands on January 15, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 8 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the January 15, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 6 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "W" — 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 January 15, 2025?
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 8 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 6-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 6-letter spangram