The New York Times Strands puzzle for January 6th, #674, challenges players to identify themed words hidden within a grid of letters. Today’s puzzle centers around the theme of things that go up, or things in the air.
Hints and Strategy
The puzzle works by finding words of four letters or more to unlock hints related to the theme. The game reveals theme words once three qualifying words are discovered. Useful words from today’s solution include REAR, DREAR, LOON, NECK, ROCK, PAIR, RARE and VAIL.
Today’s Answers
The non-spangram answers for today’s puzzle are:
- BIRD
- KITE
- DRONE
- ROCKET
- BALLOON
- AIRPLANE
The spangram, a word stretching across the entire grid, is DEFYINGGRAVITY. Begin with the ‘D’ at the bottom-left and trace the letters across the puzzle to reveal it.
Puzzle Difficulty
Some Strands themes prove more difficult than others. Previously challenging topics include dated slang (with “PHAT” being a particularly tough word) and nautical terms like “BALEEN” or “RIGHT.”
Finding the answers to daily puzzles like Strands requires practice and a keen eye for patterns. If you are looking for more help, check out CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page for solutions to Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword as well.
