Issue #795 Thu 7 May
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — May 7, 2026
Six theme words and a spanning phrase converge on a single quiet act — the moment one party formally defers to another. The grid rewards solvers who think in terms of authority yielded rather than power taken.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A quiet gesture across a boardroom table — one slight incline of the head, and the waiting is over.
Permission and approval
GRANTING APPROVAL
Spangram 4 hints · 10 letters
The connector word
Three-word idiomatic phrase
10 letters.
Starts with G, ends with D.
GIVE THE NOD
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (5 letters)
- 2 A (7 letters)
- 3 B (5 letters)
- 4 L (7 letters)
- 5 P (6 letters)
- 6 S (8 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AL (5 letters)
- 2 AP (7 letters)
- 3 BL (5 letters)
- 4 LI (7 letters)
- 5 PE (6 letters)
- 6 SA (8 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
To formally let someone do something they had not previously been able to do.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AL.
ALLOW
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
To officially confirm that a plan or proposal meets the required standard and may proceed.
7 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AP.
APPROVE
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
To confer divine or authoritative favor upon something, signaling it has been deemed worthy.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BL.
BLESS
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The document or authority that formally entitles a person to carry out an activity.
7 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LI.
LICENSE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
An official document — or the act of issuing one — that grants the holder leave to proceed.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PERMIT
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Official backing or endorsement given by an authority to confirm that something is acceptable.
8 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SA.
SANCTION
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
- ALLOW
- APPROVE
- BLESS
- LICENSE
- PERMIT
- SANCTION
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on May 7, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for May 7, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on May 7, 2026?
NYT Strands on May 7, 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 May 7, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 10 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "G" — 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 May 7, 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 · 10-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 10-letter spangram