Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Sunday, February 22, 2026
Sunday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 15-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Olympics wrap-up". 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 "Olympics wrap-up" - 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 six theme words run 4 to 7 letters (lengths: 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with C and ends with Y. It is CLOSINGCEREMONY - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all six theme words.
SPANGRAM
CLOSINGCEREMONY
ANTHEMTheme word
ATHLETETheme word
FLAGTheme word
FLAMETheme word
MEDALTheme word
PARADETheme word
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