If you’re here for the NYT Strands puzzle for March 01, you’re in the right place—today’s board is all about getting told off, with a theme that screams “lecture incoming.” The theme words are all sharp synonyms for a stern telling-off, and the spanagram is the phrase that sums up that whole vibe perfectly.
01 March 2026 NYT Strands Theme: Dressing down
Today’s theme points to the act of scolding someone—think formal, sharp, and a little old-school. Expect words that feel like something a strict teacher (or furious boss) would say when you’ve messed up.
01 March 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Look for verbs that mean “dressing down,” especially the more intense, formal form.
- If you find one strong synonym, use it to “unlock” the rest—today’s answers sit in the same semantic lane.
- The spanagram is a well-known phrase meaning a harsh reprimand, and it’s likely the longest entry on the board.
- Scan edges and diagonals for shorter entries first; once a couple are highlighted, the remaining letter paths usually become obvious.
01 March 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- Scold
- Castigate
- Reprimand
- Admonish
- Upbraid
Spangram
The Riot Act
The spanagram captures the theme in one punchy phrase—“reading someone the riot act” is basically the classic way to describe a serious dressing-down.
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.
