Issue #505 Mon 21 Jul
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — July 21, 2025
Paper provides a quiet resistance. Today requires a steady hand and a sharp eye for the lines that define the form.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A sheet of crisp, uncreased square stock meeting the edge of a thumb to create a permanent, sharp-angled crease.
Traditional Japanese paper crafting
ART OF PAPER MANIPULATION
Spangram 4 hints · 7 letters
The connector word
A single word representing a complex physical process.
7 letters.
Starts with O, ends with I.
ORIGAMI
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (4 letters)
- 2 B (9 letters)
- 3 C (5 letters)
- 4 F (4 letters)
- 5 F (6 letters)
- 6 F (4 letters)
- 7 H (5 letters)
- 8 K (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BO (4 letters)
- 2 BU (9 letters)
- 3 CR (5 letters)
- 4 FI (4 letters)
- 5 FL (6 letters)
- 6 FR (4 letters)
- 7 HE (5 letters)
- 8 KI (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A simple vessel meant for crossing a pond, fashioned from nothing but a single square.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BO.
BOAT
Theme word 2 of 8 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
This delicate creature starts as a flat sheet before its wings are splayed open.
9 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BU.
BUTTERFLY
Theme word 3 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A long-necked wader that stands tall once the final corner is tucked into place.
5 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CR.
CRANE
Theme word 4 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A silent swimmer that takes shape through a series of precise, overlapping tucks.
4 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FI.
FISH
Theme word 5 of 8 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A perennial that never wilts, built petal by petal from a stiff, colored page.
6 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FL.
FLOWER
Theme word 6 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A small, hopping amphibian that sits ready to leap from your desk.
4 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FR.
FROG
Theme word 7 of 8 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A classic symbol of affection, rendered in three dimensions through careful bending.
5 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HE.
HEART
Theme word 8 of 8 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A diamond-shaped flyer that stays grounded on your table instead of catching the wind.
4 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KI.
KITE
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
- BOAT
- BUTTERFLY
- CRANE
- FISH
- FLOWER
- FROG
- HEART
- KITE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on July 21, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for July 21, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on July 21, 2025?
NYT Strands on July 21, 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 July 21, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 7 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "O" — 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 July 21, 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 · 7-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 8 theme words · 7-letter spangram