Issue #380 Tue 18 Mar
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — March 18, 2025
A quiet Tuesday morning offers a sturdy grid for the patient solver. Clarity remains the primary goal as the pieces align across the board.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The ink-stained thumb, the eraser shavings on the desk, and the deliberate search for a nine-letter fit.
Puzzles and word games
GRID-BASED LINGUISTIC CHALLENGES
Spangram 4 hints · 9 letters
The connector word
A single nine-letter noun
9 letters.
Starts with C, ends with D.
CROSSWORD
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (6 letters)
- 2 G (6 letters)
- 3 I (5 letters)
- 4 P (6 letters)
- 5 S (5 letters)
- 6 T (6 letters)
- 7 V (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CR (6 letters)
- 2 GR (6 letters)
- 3 IR (5 letters)
- 4 PE (6 letters)
- 5 SU (5 letters)
- 6 TO (6 letters)
- 7 VE (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A rusted hinge that refuses to turn after years of neglect.
6 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CR.
CRANKY
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
The low growl of a dog when you step too close to its bowl.
6 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GR.
GRUMPY
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A minor annoyance that sticks like a burr on your favorite sweater.
5 letters.
Starts with I.
Starts with IR.
IRKED
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
The sharp sigh of someone waiting for a train that is already ten minutes late.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PEEVED
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A closed-off posture that keeps the rest of the room at a distance.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SU.
SURLY
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Walking on eggshells around a topic that is best left unmentioned.
6 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TO.
TOUCHY
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A tangled set of headphone wires that defy every attempt at a quick fix.
5 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VE.
VEXED
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
- CRANKY
- GRUMPY
- IRKED
- PEEVED
- SURLY
- TOUCHY
- VEXED
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on March 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 March 18, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on March 18, 2025?
NYT Strands on March 18, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 7 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the March 18, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 9 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 March 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 7 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 9-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 9-letter spangram