The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for November 9th (#616) presents a challenge for word puzzle enthusiasts. The theme revolves around the idea of enchantment, with answers that evoke a sense of captivating wonder.
Understanding the Puzzle
Strands requires players to identify hidden words within a grid, with the ultimate goal of uncovering all words connected to a central theme. Finding words with four or more letters triggers hints toward the theme, guiding players to the final solution.
Hints for Today’s Puzzle
The core theme is “How enchanting!”, hinting at words associated with magic, allure, and captivating charisma. A further clue: “Dazzling personality.”
Solution Breakdown
To assist in solving the puzzle, here are the words that can unlock in-game hints:
- TEEN
- SURE
- ENSURE
- CRIT
- PONE
- PACE
- PACES
- TEAR
- CHAT
- CHAR
- TRANCE
- RAID
These words, once discovered, will help reveal the theme words. The answers for today’s puzzle are:
- ENTRANCE
- CAPTIVATE
- HYPNOTIZE
- SPELLBIND
The final goal is to find the spangram, a word that spans the entire grid, incorporating all letters.
Why This Matters
Strands, along with other NYT puzzles like Wordle and Connections, has become a daily habit for millions. The appeal lies in its blend of cognitive challenge and accessible entertainment, offering a mental workout that can improve vocabulary, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. As these puzzles grow in popularity, they demonstrate the enduring demand for engaging, well-designed intellectual games.
