Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Sunday, January 25, 2026
Sunday's Strands board has seven theme words plus a 15-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "The straight and narrow". 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 straight and narrow" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 15 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.
Hint 2 of 3
The seven theme words run 4 to 6 letters (lengths: 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with S and ends with N. It is STICKYSITUATION - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all seven theme words.
SPANGRAM
STICKYSITUATION
BATONTheme word
CANETheme word
DOWELTheme word
PICKETTheme word
POLETheme word
POSTTheme word
STAKETheme word
Next on the board
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