Issue #629 Sat 22 Nov
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — November 22, 2025
Saturday morning brings a grid that demands a bit of legwork. Clear the table and focus on the alignments.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The foam finger in the attic, the jersey that no longer fits, and the sound of a stadium crowd on a Saturday afternoon.
NCAA athletic programs
COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC MASCOTS
Spangram 4 hints · 10 letters
The connector word
A single compound word
10 letters.
Starts with S, ends with M.
SPORTSTEAM
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (5 letters)
- 2 B (8 letters)
- 3 C (7 letters)
- 4 L (5 letters)
- 5 Q (7 letters)
- 6 T (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BE (5 letters)
- 2 BU (8 letters)
- 3 CR (7 letters)
- 4 LI (5 letters)
- 5 QU (7 letters)
- 6 TI (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Look for the heavy, hibernating mammal that prowls the woods of New England.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BEARS
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A stout, wrinkly canine that serves as the face of a New Haven institution.
8 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BU.
BULLDOGS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
This deep, bold shade is the signature color of the oldest university in the country.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CR.
CRIMSON
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The king of the jungle is also the proud symbol of a prestigious Manhattan campus.
5 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LI.
LIONS
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A historical religious society that represents a well-known Pennsylvania school.
7 letters.
Starts with Q.
Starts with QU.
QUAKERS
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Find the striped jungle cat associated with a major research university in New Jersey.
6 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TI.
TIGERS
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
- BEARS
- BULLDOGS
- CRIMSON
- LIONS
- QUAKERS
- TIGERS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on November 22, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for November 22, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on November 22, 2025?
NYT Strands on November 22, 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 November 22, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 10 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "S" — 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 November 22, 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 · 10-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 10-letter spangram