Today’s Theme: Abracadabra!
Today’s NYT Strands puzzle (#502) brings the world of magic tricks and illusions to your grid. Think spells, transformations, vanishing acts—you’re in for a delightful enchanted challenge.
Spangram of the Day: ITSMAGIC
This 8-letter spangram runs across the grid’s opposite borders, perfectly capturing the theme’s mystical essence.
Today’s Theme Words
Here are the five magic-themed words hidden today:
- ESCAPE – Think Houdini-style freedom
- DISAPPEAR – The art of vanishing
- TRANSFORM – Shape-shifting illusions
- LEVITATE – Objects floating in mid-air
- MULTIPLY – Making things appear to duplicate
Yesterday’s Puzzle Recap – #501 (July 17)
- Theme: Find Your Seat
- Spangram: THEATERS
- Theme Words: Boxes, Mezzanine, Balcony, Lobby, Wings, Orchestra
Puzzle Quick View
| Date | Puzzle # | Theme | Spangram | Theme Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 18, 2025 | 502 | Abracadabra! | ITSMAGIC | Escape, Disappear, Transform, Levitate, Multiply |
| July 17, 2025 | 501 | Find Your Seat | THEATERS | Boxes, Mezzanine, Balcony, Lobby, Wings, Orchestra |
Pro Solve Tips
- Clue words help – Try words like “SORE” or “SPITE” to reveal hint tokens
- Spot the spangram early – Once you see “ITSMAGIC,” the rest clicks into place quickly
- Picture a magic show – Envision the tricks happening on stage to guide your word search
Popular FAQs About NYT Strands
Q: What is NYT Strands?
A: Strands is a daily themed word-search puzzle in the NYT Games lineup. Players connect letters in a 6×8 grid to uncover theme words and one unique “spangram” that spans two edges.
Q: How are theme words and spangrams different?
Theme words are regular-sized words related to the central theme. The spangram is the longest key word or phrase hitting opposite borders of the grid.
Q: How do I get help in Strands?
Uncover three unrelated words (non-theme) and the game grants a hint by revealing part of a theme word.
Q: Can the spangram run diagonally?
Yes, though it often runs horizontally or vertically. It just needs to touch two opposite edges.
Final Thoughts
Today’s Strands puzzle weaved a magical experience—literally! With the spangram ITSMAGIC and illusions like ESCAPE and LEVITATE, it offered a delightful escape into enchantment. And with the theater spotlight yesterday, you’re cruising through a fun back-to-back theme streak.
