The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for December 30 (#667) challenges players to identify thematic words hidden within a grid of letters. Today’s theme, “2024 Top Twenty,” requires familiarity with recent popular music. The puzzle’s difficulty lies in unscrambling the connections, but assistance is available for those who need it.
Understanding the Rules
Strands tasks players with finding words of four or more letters. Every three qualifying words discovered reveal a hint toward the overall theme. The ultimate goal is to uncover all thematic words, including the spangram – a word that spans the entire grid, utilizing every letter. The number of words in a puzzle can vary.
Hints and Word Suggestions
If you’re stuck, consider these starting words to unlock in-game hints:
- RAID
- DATA
- GOLD
- CHILD
- HORN
Any four-letter or longer words will trigger a thematic reveal.
Today’s Answers
The full solution to today’s Strands puzzle is as follows:
- GOLDEN
- DAISIES
- MANCHILD
- ORDINARY
- ABRACADABRA
The spangram – the word that connects the grid from left to right – is HITSONGS.
Challenging Puzzles from Recent Weeks
Past Strands puzzles have also presented significant difficulties. Some of the toughest include:
- Dated slang (January 21): The puzzle relied on outdated terminology, with “PHAT” being the most obscure word.
- Thar she blows! (January 15): This puzzle tested knowledge of maritime terms; “BALEEN” and “RIGHT” proved challenging for many.
Strands puzzles test players’ vocabulary, pattern recognition, and cultural awareness. The difficulty varies but can be overcome with a methodical approach or, when needed, a little help.
