Issue #896 Thu 26 Feb
Strands hints — February 26, 2026
A Wednesday grid that asks for a bit of patience as you navigate the intersections. Keep your eyes on the board and your pencil ready.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You take the same route home and a single door is open that's never open.
Interpersonal communication and verbal friction
VERBAL RETORT OR DEFLECTION
Spangram 4 nudges · 11 letters
The connector word
A two-word phrasal verb
11 letters.
Starts with T, ends with K.
TALKING BACK
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (6 letters)
- 2 C (4 letters)
- 3 F (5 letters)
- 4 I (8 letters)
- 5 P (4 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
- 7 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CH (6 letters)
- 2 CU (4 letters)
- 3 FR (5 letters)
- 4 IM (8 letters)
- 5 PE (4 letters)
- 6 SA (5 letters)
- 7 SA (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A smirk that suggests you know something the other person does not.
6 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CH.
CHEEKY
Theme word 2 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A small animal that makes you stop mid-sidewalk to take a photo.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CU.
CUTE
Theme word 3 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
The crisp smell of a linen shirt ironed just before leaving the house.
5 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FR.
FRESH
Theme word 4 of 7 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
The kind of comment that lands you in the principal office.
8 letters.
Starts with I.
Starts with IM.
IMPUDENT
Theme word 5 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A posture that suggests a readiness to jump into the fray.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PERT
Theme word 6 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A tone of voice that implies you are entirely unimpressed.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SA.
SASSY
Theme word 7 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A wink that accompanies a slightly provocative remark.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SA.
SAUCY