Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Thursday, January 15, 2026
Thursday's Strands board has seven theme words plus a 8-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "The ears have it!". The ladder below climbs from the theme to the spangram - take one hint at a time.
Hints, in order
Hint 0 of 3Tap to show one hint at a time.
Hint 1 of 3
The NYT clue is "The ears have it!" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 8 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.
Hint 2 of 3
The seven theme words run 4 to 9 letters (lengths: 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 9). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with H and ends with R. It is HEARHEAR - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all seven theme words.
SPANGRAM
HEARHEAR
ANVILTheme word
CANALTheme word
CARTILAGETheme word
DRUMTheme word
HAMMERTheme word
LOBETheme word
STIRRUPTheme word
Next on the board
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