Issue #441 Sun 18 May
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — May 18, 2025
Wind and water demand a certain patience. Today's grid requires a steady hand to navigate the currents.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Salt spray on the windshield, the snap of canvas overhead, and the horizon tilting beneath your feet.
Nautical craft and maritime travel
VESSEL POWERED BY THE WIND
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
A single compound noun.
8 letters.
Starts with S, ends with T.
SAILBOAT
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 H (4 letters)
- 2 H (4 letters)
- 3 K (4 letters)
- 4 M (4 letters)
- 5 R (7 letters)
- 6 R (6 letters)
- 7 S (5 letters)
- 8 T (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 HE (4 letters)
- 2 HU (4 letters)
- 3 KE (4 letters)
- 4 MA (4 letters)
- 5 RI (7 letters)
- 6 RU (6 letters)
- 7 ST (5 letters)
- 8 TI (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The wheel or lever used to keep the craft on its intended course.
4 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HE.
HELM
Theme word 2 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The structural body that keeps everything else above the waterline.
4 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HU.
HULL
Theme word 3 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A heavy vertical blade extending beneath the bottom to provide stability.
4 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KE.
KEEL
Theme word 4 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The tall upright pole that supports the primary canvas.
4 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MAST
Theme word 5 of 8 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The intricate network of lines and wires supporting the spars.
7 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RI.
RIGGING
Theme word 6 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
The movable flat piece submerged at the rear used for steering.
6 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RU.
RUDDER
Theme word 7 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The rearmost part of the vessel.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STERN
Theme word 8 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A long handle attached to the steering assembly for manual control.
6 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TI.
TILLER
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
- HELM
- HULL
- KEEL
- MAST
- RIGGING
- RUDDER
- STERN
- TILLER
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on May 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 May 18, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on May 18, 2025?
NYT Strands on May 18, 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 May 18, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 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 May 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 8 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 8-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 8-letter spangram