Issue #522 Thu 7 Aug
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — August 7, 2025
Wednesday puzzles require a particular kind of mental furniture. We provide the grid, but you supply the patience to see how these edges lock into place.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You grip the iron railing on the ferry deck as the Atlantic tosses the boat.
Maritime vocabulary and nautical terminology.
ANCHORING DEVICE OR SECURE GRIP
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
A single compound noun.
8 letters.
Starts with H, ends with T.
HOLDFAST
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (8 letters)
- 2 D (7 letters)
- 3 F (4 letters)
- 4 S (5 letters)
- 5 S (6 letters)
- 6 U (10 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CO (8 letters)
- 2 DE (7 letters)
- 3 FI (4 letters)
- 4 SO (5 letters)
- 5 ST (6 letters)
- 6 UN (10 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A metronome ticking away in the corner of the music room.
8 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
CONSTANT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The person who shows up for every single recital.
7 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DE.
DEVOTED
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A handshake that makes you wince just a little.
4 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FI.
FIRM
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A piece of timber that rings true when tapped with a hammer.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SO.
SOUND
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
The slow, rhythmic pulse of a long-distance runner.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STEADY
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
A gaze that refuses to look away during a difficult conversation.
10 letters.
Starts with U.
Starts with UN.
UNWAVERING
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
- CONSTANT
- DEVOTED
- FIRM
- SOUND
- STEADY
- UNWAVERING
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on August 7, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for August 7, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on August 7, 2025?
NYT Strands on August 7, 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 August 7, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "H" — 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 August 7, 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