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Sunday, March 1, 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 Sunday, March 1, 2026

NYT theme clue: "Dressing down" · Edited by Tracy Bennett

Sunday's Strands board has five theme words plus a 10-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Dressing down". 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 "Dressing down" - 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 five theme words run 5 to 9 letters (lengths: 5, 7, 8, 9, 9). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.

Hint 3 of 3

The spangram starts with T and ends with T. It is THERIOTACT - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.

Spangram and theme words

The spangram first, then all five theme words.

SPANGRAM
THERIOTACT
ADMONISHTheme word
CASTIGATETheme word
REPRIMANDTheme word
SCOLDTheme word
UPBRAIDTheme word
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