Strands · Hints and answers
Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 8, 2026
Saturday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 13-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "It has its ups and downs". 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 "It has its ups and downs" - 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 9 letters (lengths: 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.
Hint 3 of 3
The spangram starts with R and ends with R. It is ROLLERCOASTER - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.
Spangram and theme words
The spangram first, then all six theme words.
SPANGRAM
ROLLERCOASTER
CORKSCREWTheme word
CUTBACKTheme word
DROPTheme word
LOOPTheme word
TRACKTheme word
TUNNELTheme word
Next on the board
NYT Mini Crossword →
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