Issue #658 Sun 21 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 21, 2025
A tidy collection of grid-work to keep the mind occupied. These puzzles offer a quiet challenge for a Saturday morning.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A wolf pacing outside, the rattle of a latch, and three distinct homes waiting for a visitor.
Classic children's fables
FAMOUS LITERARY TRIO
Spangram 4 hints · 15 letters
The connector word
A long, multi-word compound noun.
15 letters.
Starts with T, ends with S.
THREELITTLEPIGS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (4 letters)
- 2 B (6 letters)
- 3 D (4 letters)
- 4 H (4 letters)
- 5 P (4 letters)
- 6 S (6 letters)
- 7 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BL (4 letters)
- 2 BR (6 letters)
- 3 DO (4 letters)
- 4 HU (4 letters)
- 5 PU (4 letters)
- 6 ST (6 letters)
- 7 ST (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
What you do to a birthday candle to extinguish it.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BL.
BLOW
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Small rectangular blocks used to construct sturdy walls.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BR.
BRICKS
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The opposite of up when considering gravity.
4 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DO.
DOWN
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
Exhaling sharply to show annoyance or fatigue.
4 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HU.
HUFF
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A short, quick burst of air or smoke.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PU.
PUFF
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Slender, woody pieces gathered from the forest floor.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STICKS
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Dried stalks used for bedding or makeshift roofs.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STRAW
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
- BLOW
- BRICKS
- DOWN
- HUFF
- PUFF
- STICKS
- STRAW
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 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 December 21, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 21, 2025?
NYT Strands on December 21, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 7 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the December 21, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 15 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "T" — 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 December 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 7 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 15-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 15-letter spangram