Today’s Theme: Hot Enough For Ya?
Word-search entangles with summer’s swelter in today’s NYT Strands puzzle — everything is centered around heat and oppressive weather. Think humidity, high temps, and how they feel to the skin. This was confirmed by multiple sources covering the puzzle today.
Spangram Unlocked: SUMMERWEATHER
The centerpiece word today is a 13-letter spangram — SUMMERWEATHER — that runs nearly vertically across the grid, encapsulating all things hot and sunny.
✅ Today’s 5 Themed Answers
Here are the five temperature-themed words hidden in the grid:
- SWELTERING – Oppressively hot; the first big clue
- SCORCHING – Like the sun at high noon, blazing
- MUGGY – Summer air that’s thick with humidity
- BALMY – Warm and soothing night air
- STICKY – Skin-latching, sweat-inducing weather
Yesterday’s Recap – Puzzle #502 (July 18)
- Theme: Abracadabra! (Magic)
- Spangram: ITSMAGIC
- Words: ESCAPE, DISAPPEAR, TRANSFORM, LEVITATE, MULTIPLY
Puzzle Overview
| Date | Puzzle # | Theme | Spangram | Theme Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 19, 2025 | 503 | Hot Enough For Ya? | SUMMERWEATHER | Sweltering, Scorching, Muggy, Balmy, Sticky |
| July 18, 2025 | 502 | Abracadabra! (Magic) | ITSMAGIC | Escape, Disappear, Transform, Levitate, Multiply |
Pro Tips to Solve Faster
- Start with clue words like MORE, CORE, SINGE, TRAIN, SMUG to trigger early reveals.
- Spotting “SWELTERING” or “SCORCHING” narrows the theme fast.
- Once SUMMERWEATHER appears, other answers naturally align.
- Visualize yourself in that sticky summer haze — the words will come to you.
Popular FAQs About NYT Strands
Q1: What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is a daily themed word-search/puzzle hybrid with a 6×8 letter grid. Solvers find theme words and one unique spangram that touches opposing edges
Q2: How do clue words work?
Typing any non-theme word that’s 4+ letters long can earn you a hint—after three such words, a theme word letter is revealed.
Q3: Is the spangram always one word?
Not always—it can be multiple words (like SUMMER WEATHER), but must stretch edge-to-edge.
Q4: What are good strategies for tougher days?
Start with longer words that seem to fit the theme, use clue words early, and hunt for the grid’s longest connection first.
Q5: How do I maintain a streak?
Play every day and avoid using hints. Reviewing past puzzles helps build word awareness and boosts speed.
Final Thoughts
NYT Strands #503 brought the heat—literally—with its blazing theme. From “muggy” to the showstopping spangram SUMMERWEATHER, it’s a fiery test of your word-picture vocabulary. After yesterday’s magical quest, today’s puzzle is a sizzling change of pace.
