Issue #1006 Fri 5 Jun
Strands hints — June 5, 2026 Today
A steady, rhythmic path through the grid today. Expect a session that asks for focus rather than speed.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Cold air, a stuck-in-throat moment, the camera flash you weren't ready for — three different snags, same body.
Verbal hostility and heated exchange
PROVOCATIVE VERBAL EXCHANGES
Spangram 4 nudges · 13 letters
The connector word
A single compound noun
13 letters.
Starts with F, ends with S.
FIGHTING WORDS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (5 letters)
- 2 C (5 letters)
- 3 M (5 letters)
- 4 S (5 letters)
- 5 S (7 letters)
- 6 S (8 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BR (5 letters)
- 2 CL (5 letters)
- 3 ME (5 letters)
- 4 SC (5 letters)
- 5 SC (7 letters)
- 6 SK (8 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A messy, unorganized physical confrontation involving multiple people.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BR.
BRAWL
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
When two ideologies or colors meet in a way that creates immediate friction.
5 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CL.
CLASH
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A confused, noisy struggle where it is hard to tell who is on which side.
5 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with ME.
MELEE
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
The remnants left over after a larger project is finished, often discarded or sold.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCRAP
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A brief, disorganized physical interaction that ends as quickly as it began.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCUFFLE
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
A minor, localized military encounter that does not necessarily define the outcome of the war.
8 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SK.
SKIRMISH