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.
21 April 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Risky business”
Today’s theme leaned into bravery and thrill-seeking behavior, focusing on words that describe people willing to take risks. The puzzle felt fairly cohesive, with recognizable vocabulary, but the longer words added a bit of challenge. The spangram stood out as a strong unifying concept, perfectly capturing the adventurous spirit of the grid.
21 April 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Think of personality traits linked to taking risks or facing danger head-on.
- Look for words that describe fearless or bold individuals.
- Some answers are more formal or literary than everyday speech.
- The grid includes both shorter and longer descriptive words.
- Spangram hint: It describes people who actively seek thrilling, risky experiences.
21 April 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- Bold (fearless and confident)
- Gutsy (showing courage in risky situations)
- Intrepid (resolutely brave and adventurous)
- Courageous (not deterred by danger or pain)
- Adventurous (willing to take risks or try new things)
Spangram
DAREDEVILS
This spangram perfectly captures the essence of the theme, referring to people who take bold risks and seek excitement, tying together all the words that describe fearless, adventurous personalities.
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
This was a moderately easy puzzle with a clear and engaging theme. The vocabulary was familiar, and the spangram tied everything together nicely. How many did you find before checking the answers?
