Issue #321 Sat 18 Jan
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — January 18, 2025
A steady, deliberate pace through the grid today. The clues offer just enough resistance to keep the morning coffee warm.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The person standing at the center of the bridge, watching the horizon while the rest of the crew waits for orders.
Nautical roles and leadership
SHIP LEADERSHIP ROLES
Spangram 4 hints · 7 letters
The connector word
Single seven-letter noun
7 letters.
Starts with C, ends with N.
CAPTAIN
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (6 letters)
- 2 H (4 letters)
- 3 K (8 letters)
- 4 O (7 letters)
- 5 P (6 letters)
- 6 U (10 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CR (6 letters)
- 2 HO (4 letters)
- 3 KA (8 letters)
- 4 OB (7 letters)
- 5 PL (6 letters)
- 6 UN (10 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Dry leaves under your boots or the sound of a heavy door shutting on a cold morning.
6 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CR.
CRUNCH
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A curved metal piece used to secure a gate or snag a stray line.
4 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HO.
HOOK
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Look at the pouch, look at the powerful legs, look at the way it clears a fence.
8 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KA.
KANGAROO
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Something sitting right in front of you that requires no extra investigation to see.
7 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OB.
OBVIOUS
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A massive sphere drifting through the dark, silent expanse of space.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PL.
PLANET
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
Whatever you pull on first thing in the morning before the rest of your clothes.
10 letters.
Starts with U.
Starts with UN.
UNDERPANTS
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
- CRUNCH
- HOOK
- KANGAROO
- OBVIOUS
- PLANET
- UNDERPANTS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on January 18, 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 18, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on January 18, 2025?
NYT Strands on January 18, 2025 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 January 18, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 7 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "C" — 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 18, 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 6 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 7-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 7-letter spangram