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Wednesday, February 11, 2026  ·  Your daily stash of puzzle hints. Answers stay hidden until you ask for them.
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Strands · Hints and answers

Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, February 11, 2026

NYT theme clue: "Crack and snack" · Edited by Tracy Bennett

Wednesday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 6-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Crack and snack". The ladder below climbs from the theme to the spangram - take one hint at a time.

Hints, in order

Hint 0 of 3

Tap to show one hint at a time.

Hint 1 of 3

The NYT clue is "Crack and snack" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 6 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.

Hint 2 of 3

The six theme words run 5 to 9 letters (lengths: 5, 6, 6, 7, 9, 9). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.

Hint 3 of 3

The spangram starts with G and ends with S. It is GONUTS - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.

Spangram and theme words

The spangram first, then all six theme words.

SPANGRAM
GONUTS
ALMONDTheme word
CASHEWTheme word
FILBERTTheme word
MACADAMIATheme word
PECANTheme word
PISTACHIOTheme word
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