For crossword enthusiasts, the New York Times offers daily challenges, including the Strands puzzle. On October 18, the Strands puzzle had the theme “Get to work…” which proved to be a challenge for many players.
Key Hints and Strategies
Finding hidden words can be difficult. To assist players, several words can serve as in-game hints. For today’s Strands puzzle, here are some effective words:
- SLOG
- TALE
- NOTE
- CURT
- CONS
- LOAN
- WING
- DENT
- LOSE
- LORE
- RUIN
- THAN
- RATS
- STAR
- STARE
- TALES
- TEAL
Players are encouraged to find any words consisting of four letters or more. Each set of three discovered words will unlock a theme word, aiding in solving the puzzle.
Today’s Answers
The objective of the Strands puzzle is to uncover all the answers that align with the theme. The spangram— a word that links one side of the puzzle to the other— is also an essential component.
- ALARM
- DETOUR
- CLOSURE
- WEATHER
- CONSTRUCTION
For October 18, the spangram is “RUNNINGLATE.” To locate it, players should find the letter R in the fourth row on the left and trace it across.
Toughest Strands Topics
In recent weeks, some Strands puzzles have been particularly challenging. Here are some of the toughest themes encountered:
- Dated slang – Toughest word: PHAT (January 21)
- Thar she blows! – Toughest word: BALEEN or RIGHT (January 15)
- Off the hook – Toughest word: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK (January 9)
For players seeking assistance in solving the Strands puzzle, El-Balad provides hints, strategies, and answers to enhance the crossword experience.
