Issue #449 Mon 26 May
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — May 26, 2025
A quiet Monday morning. The coffee is cooling, the grid is open, and the ink is waiting for your first move.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A palm turned upward, a nod of the head, or a rigid spine — the unspoken grammar of a crowded room.
Non-verbal communication
PHYSICAL EXPRESSIONS OF SOCIAL PROTOCOL
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
Single word
8 letters.
Starts with G, ends with S.
GESTURES
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (7 letters)
- 2 H (9 letters)
- 3 K (6 letters)
- 4 N (7 letters)
- 5 S (6 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CU (7 letters)
- 2 HA (9 letters)
- 3 KO (6 letters)
- 4 NA (7 letters)
- 5 SA (6 letters)
- 6 SH (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Lowering one knee to the floor as a sign of formal respect in a ballroom setting.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CU.
CURTSEY
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A firm grip exchanged between two people upon first meeting.
9 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HA.
HANDSHAKE
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Dropping to one's knees to show absolute submission or reverence to a superior.
6 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KO.
KOWTOW
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Pressing palms together in front of the chest as a sign of peaceful acknowledgment.
7 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NA.
NAMASTE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Raising a hand to the brow to show military discipline and respect.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SA.
SALUTE
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Pulling the shoulders toward the ears to signal a total lack of knowledge.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SH.
SHRUG
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
- CURTSEY
- HANDSHAKE
- KOWTOW
- NAMASTE
- SALUTE
- SHRUG
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on May 26, 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 26, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on May 26, 2025?
NYT Strands on May 26, 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 May 26, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "G" — 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 26, 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 · 8-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 8-letter spangram