Issue #784 Sun 26 Apr
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — April 26, 2026
Tempers flare and voices rise as two sides come to a head. Navigating this grid requires finding the common ground where these opposing positions meet.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Two stubborn animals meeting head-on in a meadow, neither willing to yield an inch of ground.
Idiomatic expressions of conflict
ENGAGING IN A HEATED DISPUTE
Spangram 4 hints · 9 letters
The connector word
A single compound word
9 letters.
Starts with L, ends with S.
LOCK HORNS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (5 letters)
- 2 B (6 letters)
- 3 D (6 letters)
- 4 Q (7 letters)
- 5 S (8 letters)
- 6 W (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AR (5 letters)
- 2 BI (6 letters)
- 3 DI (6 letters)
- 4 QU (7 letters)
- 5 SQ (8 letters)
- 6 WR (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
To maintain a contrary position in a verbal debate.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AR.
ARGUE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Small, petty complaints about trivial matters.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BI.
BICKER
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
To hold a view at odds with someone else's.
6 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DI.
DIFFER
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A noisy, angry disagreement between people.
7 letters.
Starts with Q.
Starts with QU.
QUARREL
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A brief, noisy, and often unnecessary fight.
8 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SQ.
SQUABBLE
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
To engage in a complex or lengthy struggle.
7 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WR.
WRANGLE
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
- ARGUE
- BICKER
- DIFFER
- QUARREL
- SQUABBLE
- WRANGLE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on April 26, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for April 26, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on April 26, 2026?
NYT Strands on April 26, 2026 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 April 26, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 9 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "L" — 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 April 26, 2026?
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 · 9-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 9-letter spangram