Issue #798 Sun 10 May
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — May 10, 2026
Six theme words and an eight-letter spangram. A grid that holds together with unusual firmness.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Sunlight through a gap in the curtain. The kind of thing you cannot pretend you didn't notice.
Compound adjective meaning unmistakable or unambiguous
SYNONYMS FOR OBVIOUSLY VISIBLE
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
Two-word compound adjective; also used as a noun in forestry
8 letters.
Starts with C, ends with T.
CLEAR CUT
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (7 letters)
- 2 B (6 letters)
- 3 F (8 letters)
- 4 G (7 letters)
- 5 O (7 letters)
- 6 O (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BL (7 letters)
- 2 BR (6 letters)
- 3 FL (8 letters)
- 4 GL (7 letters)
- 5 OB (7 letters)
- 6 OV (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Describes behaviour so bold it seems almost deliberate in its lack of concealment. Often paired with 'lie'.
7 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BL.
BLATANT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Unashamed and unabashed. Carries a note of defiance — as if daring you to object.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BR.
BRAZEN
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Used for violations and offences that are so unmistakable they almost insult the observer. Legal registers favour it.
8 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FL.
FLAGRANT
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
What a mistake is when it leaps off the page. Light-related in etymology; stares you down.
7 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GL.
GLARING
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The plainest word in this group. No metaphor, no register — simply: not hidden.
7 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OB.
OBVIOUS
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Neither secret nor disguised. Formal and direct; the opposite of covert.
5 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OV.
OVERT
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
- BLATANT
- BRAZEN
- FLAGRANT
- GLARING
- OBVIOUS
- OVERT
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on May 10, 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 10, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on May 10, 2026?
NYT Strands on May 10, 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 10, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "C" — 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 10, 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 · 8-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 8-letter spangram