Strands Hint and Answer for Monday, June 23, 2025

Need a hint for today's Strands puzzle?
We’ve got you covered with a clue, some gentle nudges, and (if needed) the full answer below. Come back every day for updated hints.
🧠 Today’s Theme Clue
Breaking up the band
🔠 Spangram Hint
Two words that describe a musical act… and also hint at a breakup.
🟦 Theme Words Hint
Things you might do to a head… literally or metaphorically.
🟡 Reveal Spangram
ROCKGROUPS
🔵 Reveal Theme Words
CHEAP, HEADS, PUMPKINS, SMASHING, TALKING, TRICK

What is Strands?
Strands is a new daily word puzzle from The New York Times. You're given a themed clue and a board of letters to solve a web of interconnected words related to that clue.
The spangram is a key word that spans the board and embodies the theme. When you find it, the rest of the puzzle becomes easier to solve.
Find hidden words, earn hints by guessing non-theme words, and complete the puzzle by using all letters on the board.
Strands is winnable every time. There’s no time limit, and incorrect guesses don’t count against you.
Past Strands Answers
Looking for past puzzles? Click any date below to reveal previous spangrams and theme words.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Spangram: THATSTINKS
Theme Words: FOUL, MALODOROUS, PUNGENT, RANK, REEKING, SMELLY
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Spangram: DIDDLYSQUAT
Theme Words: BUPKIS, NADA, NAUGHT, NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH, ZIPPO
Friday, June 20, 2025
Spangram: POWDERS
Theme Words: BABY, BAKING, BLASTING, CHILI, COCOA, ITCHING, TALCUM
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Spangram: ROADTRIP
Theme Words: AUDIOBOOK, GAMES, MOTEL, PHOTOS, PLAYLIST, SCENERY
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Spangram: LINEDANCE
Theme Words: FOOTLOOSE, HUSTLE, LOCOMOTION, MACARENA, WOBBLE
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Spangram: STAYSTRONG
Theme Words: ABIDE, ENDURE, LAST, PERSEVERE, PERSIST, SURVIVE
Monday, May 12, 2025
Spangram: STREETCRED
Theme Words: CHARACTER, NAME, REPUTATION, STANDING, STATURE
See Also
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for Monday, June 23, 2025