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.

18 October 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “Get to work...”

Today’s puzzle was a relatable one — a snapshot of the daily grind, full of delays, distractions, and excuses that make every commute a tiny adventure. With the theme Get to Work, Strands captured the chaos of mornings that don’t go quite as planned — complete with alarms, traffic, and unexpected obstacles.

18 October 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  1. Morning Rush: Think of everything that could possibly slow you down.
  2. Unexpected Obstacles: Not all delays are in your control.
  3. Everyday Annoyances: These happen before you even reach your desk.
  4. External Factors: Some come from the road, others from the sky.
  5. Spangram: The outcome of all this? You’re… probably not on time.

18 October 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • DETOUR – that one surprise sign that reroutes your entire morning.
  • CONSTRUCTION – the symphony of jackhammers and cones.
  • ALARM – either didn’t ring or rang too late.
  • WEATHER – the ultimate wildcard — rain, fog, or worse.
  • CLOSURE – just when you thought you’d finally make it.

Spangram

RUNNING LATE — the story of every working adult’s morning, summed up perfectly in two words.

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

  1. Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
  2. Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
  3. Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
  4. Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
  5. Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.

Final Thoughts

Today’s Strands was a reminder that sometimes life’s delays are part of the journey. Whether it’s an alarm mishap or a traffic jam, you’ll still get there — eventually.