Issue #648 Sun 22 Jun
Strands hints — June 22, 2025
A patient grid for a Sunday. We are looking at a collection of terms that occupy the same olfactory space.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You take the same route home and a single door is open that's never open, revealing a pile of forgotten gym bags.
Olfactory descriptors
UNPLEASANT AROMAS
Spangram 4 nudges · 10 letters
The connector word
Two-word colloquial phrase
10 letters.
Starts with T, ends with S.
THATSTINKS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 F (4 letters)
- 2 M (10 letters)
- 3 P (7 letters)
- 4 R (4 letters)
- 5 R (7 letters)
- 6 S (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 FO (4 letters)
- 2 MA (10 letters)
- 3 PU (7 letters)
- 4 RA (4 letters)
- 5 RE (7 letters)
- 6 SM (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
Like a sports jersey left in a locker for an entire semester.
4 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FO.
FOUL
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 10 letters
A theme word
A locker room after a double-overtime game.
10 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MALODOROUS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
The sharp bite of vinegar or strong spices hitting the nose.
7 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PU.
PUNGENT
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
Overgrown weeds and stagnant water at the edge of a field.
4 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RA.
RANK
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
The humid air coming off a pile of damp, discarded towels.
7 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RE.
REEKING
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A trash bin sitting in the direct afternoon sun.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SM.
SMELLY