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.

22 October 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “Catch All”

Today’s Strands took us right into the most mysterious place in every home — the junk drawer! The puzzle’s theme, “Catch All,” was a clever nod to that one drawer filled with all the odds and ends we swear we’ll “organize someday.”

22 October 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Common but Random: Think of items that don’t belong anywhere else.
  • Every Household Has One: It’s the drawer full of forgotten necessities.
  • Small but Handy: These are everyday objects you’ll dig for when you’re in a pinch.
  • Not a Theme Park: The theme name gives away the function — it “catches all.”
  • Spangram: What’s the name of this chaotic yet essential household spot?

22 October 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • TAPE – the go-to fix for everything.
  • COIN – loose change, forever unspent.
  • SHOELACE – random, mismatched, and somehow important.
  • BATTERY – you always find one, but never the size you need.
  • PENCIL – dull, half-used, but still there.
  • THUMBTACK – tiny but powerful in the right moment.

Spangram

JUNK DRAWER — the perfectly fitting phrase tying everything together, capturing the spirit of delightful domestic chaos.

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

The October 22 puzzle was a nostalgic nod to everyday life — simple, funny, and deeply familiar. It reminded us that even clutter has a purpose, and sometimes, a little mess holds the most useful things.