Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns.

In today's puzzle, there are seven theme words to find (including the spangram). Hint: The first one can be found in the top-half of the board. Here are the first two letters for each word: Today's spangram answer on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, is ANIMATION.