Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 9, 2026
Monday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 11-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Cute enough to eat". 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 "Cute enough to eat" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 11 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.
Hint 2 of 3
The six theme words run 4 to 8 letters (lengths: 4, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with E and ends with S. It is ENDEARMENTS - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all six theme words.
SPANGRAM
ENDEARMENTS
BEANTheme word
DUMPLINGTheme word
MUFFINTheme word
NUGGETTheme word
PEANUTTheme word
PUMPKINTheme word
Next on the board
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