Issue #599 Thu 23 Oct
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — October 23, 2025
A dense grid today, requiring a steady hand and a bit of patience. Keep your eyes on the layout as you navigate the connections.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The warning sign buried in the tall grass where the hikers are told not to wander.
Natural threats in the botanical world
DANGEROUS TO CONSUME
Spangram 4 hints · 9 letters
The connector word
A single descriptive adjective
9 letters.
Starts with P, ends with S.
POISONOUS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (6 letters)
- 2 B (10 letters)
- 3 F (8 letters)
- 4 H (7 letters)
- 5 O (8 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AZ (6 letters)
- 2 BE (10 letters)
- 3 FO (8 letters)
- 4 HE (7 letters)
- 5 OL (8 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Bright pink blossoms that look inviting in a garden but shouldn't be brought into the kitchen.
6 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AZ.
AZALEA
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
Historical accounts often mention this as a tragic tool for court intrigue and sudden endings.
10 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BELLADONNA
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
These tall, bell-shaped stalks look like gloves for a fairy but harbor a serious sting.
8 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FO.
FOXGLOVE
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The quiet, feathery herb that famously ended a philosopher's life in ancient Athens.
7 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HE.
HEMLOCK
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Commonly found lining highway medians, these shrubs are far less friendly than their cheerful flowers suggest.
8 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OL.
OLEANDER
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
- AZALEA
- BELLADONNA
- FOXGLOVE
- HEMLOCK
- OLEANDER
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on October 23, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for October 23, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on October 23, 2025?
NYT Strands on October 23, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the October 23, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 9 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "P" — 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 October 23, 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 5 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 9-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 9-letter spangram