Need a spoiler-safe route through NYT Strands #803 for Friday, May 15, 2026? Start with the theme nudges, then reveal the spangram and full word list below.
◆ Step 01
Need a spoiler-safe route through NYT Strands #803 for Friday, May 15, 2026? Start with the theme nudges, then reveal the spangram and full word list below.
◆ Step 02
Each hint nudges harder. Stop reading whenever the word lands.
◆ Step 03
Tap to reveal. We blur it so you don’t scroll past the hints by accident.
Answer is hidden until you activate the reveal button.
◆ Step 04
The trick the puzzle was actually after.
Strands #803 uses the clue "Weaselly wascals" to point at mustelids, the animal family that includes otters, ferrets, martens, polecats, badgers, and wolverines. The spangram is MUSTELIDS, and the remaining theme words are all members of that family.
Source check: the official NYT Strands service confirmed the May 15, 2026 spangram and theme words. URLs checked: https://www.nytimes.com/svc/strands/v2/2026-05-15.json ; https://www.nytimes.com/svc/strands/v2/2026-05-14.json ; https://www.nytimes.com/games/strands ; live intent search for Strands #803 / May 15.
◆ Step 05
Stuck on a streak day? Past solves keep you moving.
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 15, 2026 | Strands #803 | MUSTELIDS - BADGER, FERRET, MARTEN, OTTER, POLECAT, WOLVERINE |
| Thu, May 14, 2026 | Strands #802 | ROBINHOOD - ARCHERY, DISGUISE, FOREST, FRIAR, OUTLAW, SHERIFF |
| Wed, May 13, 2026 | Strands #801 | WHATITTAKES - FIBER, GRIT, GUMPTION, HEART, NERVE, PLUCK, SPUNK |
◆ Step 03
Readers searching for NYT Strands hints today, Strands answer today, Strands #803, and Strands May 15 2026 want help with the theme without losing the solve too early. This update gives theme nudges before the spangram and official word list reveal.
The Strands #803 spangram is MUSTELIDS.
The theme words are BADGER, FERRET, MARTEN, OTTER, POLECAT, and WOLVERINE.
The clue points to mustelids, a family of mammals that includes weasels, otters, ferrets, badgers, and wolverines.
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