Issue #660 Tue 23 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 23, 2025
The thermometer is dropping, and the grid requires a steady hand to navigate the seasonal shift. Settle in for a session of careful pathfinding.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You pull your coat tighter and realize the windshield is already frosting over.
Meteorological descriptions of low temperatures
TEMPERATURE DESCRIPTORS
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
Single compound word
8 letters.
Starts with N, ends with T.
NOTSOHOT
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (6 letters)
- 2 C (4 letters)
- 3 C (4 letters)
- 4 F (8 letters)
- 5 F (6 letters)
- 6 G (7 letters)
- 7 P (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CH (6 letters)
- 2 CO (4 letters)
- 3 CO (4 letters)
- 4 FR (8 letters)
- 5 FR (6 letters)
- 6 GL (7 letters)
- 7 PO (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A light sweater is not enough for this brisk weather.
6 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CH.
CHILLY
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The radiator is rattling but the room remains uncomfortably low in temperature.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COLD
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
Keep your drink in the shade to maintain that refreshing quality.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COOL
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Water pipes are at risk of bursting when the mercury drops this far.
8 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FR.
FREEZING
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
The handshake was stiff and lacked any warmth.
6 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FR.
FRIGID
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Moving through the deep winter slush takes a long time.
7 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GL.
GLACIAL
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Expeditions to the top of the globe require specialized gear.
5 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PO.
POLAR
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
- CHILLY
- COLD
- COOL
- FREEZING
- FRIGID
- GLACIAL
- POLAR
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 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 December 23, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 23, 2025?
NYT Strands on December 23, 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 23, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "N" — 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 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 7 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 8-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 8-letter spangram