CClue Cache
Monday, April 20, 2026  ·  Your daily stash of puzzle hints. Answers stay hidden until you ask for them.
All today's puzzles
Strands · Hints and answers

Strands hints and answers for Monday, April 20, 2026

NYT theme clue: "Gloriously glaring!" · Edited by Tracy Bennett

Monday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 13-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Gloriously glaring!". 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 "Gloriously glaring!" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 13 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, 7, 7, 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 T. It is CATCHTHELIGHT - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.

Spangram and theme words

The spangram first, then all six theme words.

SPANGRAM
CATCHTHELIGHT
GLEAMTheme word
GLIMMERTheme word
GLINTTheme word
GLISTENTheme word
GLITTERTheme word
GLOWTheme word
Next on the board
NYT Mini Crossword →
A 5x5 grid. Show one answer at a time, or open the full grid.