Issue #362 Fri 28 Feb
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — February 28, 2025
A grid that rewards a steady hand and a bit of patience. The pace is deliberate today.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The hum of a needle and the sting of ink against skin, leaving a permanent mark of a life spent on the water.
Traditional maritime body art
CLASSIC PICTORIAL SKIN ART
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
A single twelve-letter compound noun.
12 letters.
Starts with S, ends with O.
SAILORTATTOO
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (6 letters)
- 2 C (7 letters)
- 3 E (5 letters)
- 4 M (7 letters)
- 5 S (4 letters)
- 6 S (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AN (6 letters)
- 2 CO (7 letters)
- 3 EA (5 letters)
- 4 ME (7 letters)
- 5 SH (4 letters)
- 6 SW (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Heavy iron dropped to the seabed to keep a vessel from drifting in the current.
6 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AN.
ANCHOR
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A handheld instrument that always points toward magnetic north.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COMPASS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The bird of prey often depicted in flight on a veteran's forearm.
5 letters.
Starts with E.
Starts with EA.
EAGLE
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A legendary sea creature, half woman and half fish, singing from the rocks.
7 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with ME.
MERMAID
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A large vessel built to carry passengers or cargo across the deep ocean.
4 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SH.
SHIP
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A small bird that signals land is near after a long voyage.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SW.
SWALLOW
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
- ANCHOR
- COMPASS
- EAGLE
- MERMAID
- SHIP
- SWALLOW
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on February 28, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for February 28, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on February 28, 2025?
NYT Strands on February 28, 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 February 28, 2025 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 February 28, 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 · 12-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 12-letter spangram