If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re not alone. It’s a fresh word game from the New York Times that combines elements of a word search with clever, theme-based twists.
20 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Sneak-ing around”
Today’s theme leaned into subtle wordplay rather than outright trickery. While the title hints at stealth, the puzzle cleverly redirects you toward everyday items linked by a shared concept. Once you spot the connection, the grid becomes much easier to untangle, with familiar but well-hidden words scattered in different directions.
20 January 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Think less about sneaking itself and more about something associated with quiet movement.
- Look for words that are parts of a larger, familiar object.
- Several answers are shorter, so scan carefully for compact clusters.
- Diagonal paths play an important role in this grid.
- The spangram ties the list together with a fun, informal phrase.
20 January 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- Logo (branding detail)
- Heel (rear section)
- Sole (bottom layer)
- Vamp (front upper part)
- Shoelace (fastening feature)
- Eyelet (lace hole)
- Tongue (inner flap)
Spangram
Just for Kicks
This spangram sums up the theme by pointing to footwear, connecting every answer as a specific shoe component while keeping the tone light, playful, and very on-theme for the day.
How Strands works
Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a twist:
- You’re given a theme.
- The grid is packed with hidden words tied to that theme.
- Words can run in any direction, including diagonals.
- Once you find all the theme words, you’re done!
Each puzzle usually has around 6–8 theme words.
How to get and use hints
Hints are built right into Strands, and they’re super useful if you’re stuck:
- To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
- Each valid extra word gives you one hint.
- When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be revealed automatically, helping you move forward.
Pro tip: Don’t just burn hints — use them strategically when the grid feels impossible. Sometimes a single revealed word unlocks the entire board.
Tips to become a NYT Strands pro
- Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
- Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
- Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
- Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
- Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.
Final thoughts
The 20 January 2026 Strands puzzle felt moderately challenging, with a clever theme that clicked satisfyingly once you saw the pattern. It was a fun mix of misdirection and familiarity. How many words did you find before the theme revealed itself?
