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 THE ODYSSEY is the backbone of the grid; solve shorter theme words first, then use the long phrase to close the board.
The clue “An epic journey” is the shortest route in. THE ODYSSEY spans the board and turns the remaining finds into parts of Odysseus’s story: a ship, the Cyclops, Sirens, suitors, an underworld and a king.
Recent Strands answers
Stuck on a streak day? Past solves keep you moving.
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 22, 2026 | Strands #1079 | Spangram: MOUNTAIN RANGE. Theme words: CASCADE, GREEN, ROCKY, SAWTOOTH, SMOKY, WHITE. |
More from the desk
A useful solve path
Search for a long central phrase after spotting one mythic name. The spangram gives the story frame; after that, the shorter themed words become much easier to trace across the board.
FAQ
What is today's NYT Strands spangram for August 23, 2026?
Today's Strands spangram is THE ODYSSEY.
What is the Strands theme today?
The theme is an epic journey through people, places and creatures from The Odyssey.
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