Issue #841 Tue 6 Jan
Strands hints — January 6, 2026
A clear, blue-sky morning often brings a particular kind of upward gaze. Today's grid requires a steady hand and a patient eye.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The long, slow arc of a jumper at the peak of their reach, just before gravity claims them back.
Physics and aerial motion
ACTS OF ASCENT AND SUSPENSION
Spangram 4 nudges · 14 letters
The connector word
A compound single word formed from two nouns and a participle.
14 letters.
Starts with D, ends with Y.
DEFYINGGRAVITY
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (8 letters)
- 2 B (7 letters)
- 3 B (4 letters)
- 4 D (5 letters)
- 5 K (4 letters)
- 6 R (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AI (8 letters)
- 2 BA (7 letters)
- 3 BI (4 letters)
- 4 DR (5 letters)
- 5 KI (4 letters)
- 6 RO (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
A pressurized cabin hums as you look down at the clouds from six miles up.
8 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AI.
AIRPLANE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A tethered, rubbery sphere catching the wind during a neighborhood festival.
7 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BALLOON
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A chorus of chirps greets you from the branches before a sudden, winged departure.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BI.
BIRD
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A quiet, motorized hum overhead that turns the backyard into a camera crew's set.
5 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DR.
DRONE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A diamond-shaped frame dancing at the end of a string on a breezy afternoon.
4 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KI.
KITE
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A trail of fire and smoke marking a path toward the upper atmosphere.
6 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RO.
ROCKET