Issue #528 Wed 13 Aug
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — August 13, 2025
A dense grid demands a steady hand today. We move through the board with the caution of a projectionist handling a fragile reel.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The theater lights dim, the heavy velvet curtain parts, and the flicker of a projector hums against the quiet air.
Classic cinema history
CINEMATIC NOMENCLATURE
Spangram 4 hints · 9 letters
The connector word
Compound noun
9 letters.
Starts with F, ends with E.
FILMTITLE
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 L (8 letters)
- 2 N (9 letters)
- 3 P (6 letters)
- 4 R (4 letters)
- 5 T (5 letters)
- 6 V (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 LI (8 letters)
- 2 NO (9 letters)
- 3 PS (6 letters)
- 4 RO (4 letters)
- 5 TO (5 letters)
- 6 VE (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A small vessel adrift in open water with few supplies and no clear direction.
8 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LI.
LIFEBOAT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A person or thing known widely for all the wrong reasons.
9 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NO.
NOTORIOUS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A sudden, sharp violin note that cuts through the silence of a shower.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PS.
PSYCHO
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A long, twisted length of fiber used to bind or hang.
4 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RO.
ROPE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A brilliant, golden-yellow gemstone prized for its clarity.
5 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TO.
TOPAZ
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A dizzying sensation caused by looking down from a significant height.
7 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VE.
VERTIGO
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
- LIFEBOAT
- NOTORIOUS
- PSYCHO
- ROPE
- TOPAZ
- VERTIGO
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on August 13, 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 13, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on August 13, 2025?
NYT Strands on August 13, 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 13, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 9 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "F" — 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 13, 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 · 9-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 9-letter spangram