NYT Strands delivers a daily word search challenge with a thematic twist from the New York Times. Today’s puzzle draws from the Chinese zodiac, blending animal names into an 8-word hunt.
February 17 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “The Year of the…”
The theme hints at the traditional Chinese zodiac cycle, spotlighting animals linked to lunar new year signs. The grid packs these creatures across rows, columns, and diagonals, with the spangram stretching edge-to-edge for the core reveal.
February 17 2026 NYT Strands Hints
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Seek animals central to the Chinese zodiac calendar.
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Focus on mammals, reptiles, and mythical beasts from Eastern astrology.
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Words vary from 4 to 6 letters, snaking in straight lines or diagonals.
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Probe the borders for fierce felines and serpents.
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The spangram names the astrological system outright.
February 17 2026 NYT Strands Answers
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Horse (zodiac steed known for speed and energy)
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Goat (gentle herbivore in the cycle)
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Snake (slithering sign of wisdom)
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Monkey (playful primate trickster)
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Tiger (fierce striped predator)
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Dragon (mythical fire-breather)
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Rabbit (swift, lucky hopper)
Spangram
Zodiac Signs
This spangram captures the full 12-sign wheel of Chinese horoscope animals, tying the puzzle’s beasts into cultural fortune-telling.
How Strands Works
Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a twist:
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You’re given a theme.
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The grid hides words tied to that theme.
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Words run in any direction, including diagonals.
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Find all theme words to win!
Each puzzle has 6–8 theme words.
How to Get and Use Hints
Hints integrate directly into Strands for smart solving:
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Find any non-theme word of 4+ letters to earn a hint.
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Each extra word unlocks one reveal.
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Activate to expose a theme word automatically.
Pro tip: Spot extras like common nouns strategically to reveal blockers without guessing blindly.
Tips to Become a NYT Strands Pro
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Start with theme synonyms to spot clusters fast.
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Scan diagonals and edges where words love to lurk.
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Clear one word to reshape the grid for the next.
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Earn hints via 4-letter fillers before desperation.
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Flex on cultural or zodiac associations for non-literal clues.
Final Thoughts
This zodiac-themed grid roared with Eastern flair, perfect for lunar new year vibes. Unlocking Dragon or Tiger often sparked the chain reaction—how long did the animal parade take you?
