Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 21, 2026
Saturday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 9-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Sniff sniff". 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 "Sniff sniff" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 9 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.
Hint 2 of 3
The six theme words run 4 to 9 letters (lengths: 4, 5, 6, 6, 9, 9). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with O and ends with E. It is ONTHENOSE - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all six theme words.
SPANGRAM
ONTHENOSE
BEAKTheme word
HONKERTheme word
MUZZLETheme word
PROBOSCISTheme word
SCHNOZZLETheme word
SNOUTTheme word
Next on the board
NYT Mini Crossword →
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