Today's hints
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The answer
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Why this answer
The letters, categories, or grid logic that made this one tricky.
What made this one tricky:
- The spangram SUMMERTIME is the backbone of the grid; solve shorter theme words first, then use the long phrase to close the board.
SUMMERTIME ties the board to the growing season. BLOOM, BURGEON, EXPAND, FLOURISH, SPREAD, and THRIVE all describe growth or healthy expansion, so the theme becomes clear once the seasonal clue points toward plants and summer energy.
Recent Strands answers
Stuck on a streak day? Past solves keep you moving.
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jul 6, 2026 | #855 | SUMMERTIME; BLOOM, BURGEON, EXPAND, FLOURISH, SPREAD, THRIVE |
| Sun, Jul 5, 2026 | #854 | HUNTINGBREEDS; HOUND, POINTER, RETRIEVER, SPANIEL, TERRIER |
| Sat, Jul 4, 2026 | #853 | FIREWORKS; BANGER, CATHERINEWHEEL, CRACKLER, FOUNTAIN, POPPER, ROMANCANDLE |
| Fri, Jul 3, 2026 | #852 | NOTBUDGING; ADAMANT, FIRM, IMMOVABLE, RESOLUTE, RIGID, SOLID |
| Thu, Jul 2, 2026 | #851 | GETSAUCY; BARBEQUE, BUFFALO, MARINARA, SRIRACHA, TABASCO |
More from the desk
Start with the growth verbs. BLOOM and THRIVE are plain anchors, while BURGEON and FLOURISH confirm that the board is about expansion rather than only flowers.
FAQ
What is today's NYT Strands spangram for July 6, 2026?
Today's Strands spangram is SUMMERTIME.
What are today's NYT Strands theme words?
The theme words are BLOOM, BURGEON, EXPAND, FLOURISH, SPREAD, and THRIVE.
What is the theme clue for today's Strands?
The theme clue is "The growing season," pointing to summer growth and thriving.
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