Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Wednesday's Strands board has seven theme words plus a 10-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "That's not very polite". 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 "That's not very polite" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 10 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.
Hint 2 of 3
The seven theme words run 4 to 9 letters (lengths: 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 9). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with D and ends with E. It is DONTBERUDE - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all seven theme words.
SPANGRAM
DONTBERUDE
BURPTheme word
GLOATTheme word
INTERRUPTTheme word
POINTTheme word
SHOUTTheme word
STARETheme word
TEASETheme word
Next on the board
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