Another day, another tricky NYT Strands! Today’s puzzle comes with the theme “Better than good”, which might sound straightforward, but it hides a fun set of words that all describe something positive, praiseworthy, or excellent. If you’ve been scratching your head trying to find all seven, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with hints and the full solution below.

Today’s Theme (September 13, 2025)

Better than good

The goal today is to spot words that go beyond “good” and lean into greatness. Think of synonyms and phrases that express praise, quality, or high standards.

General Hints for Today’s Strands Puzzle

  • You’re looking for compliments or positive adjectives.
  • Some are common in everyday conversation, while others might feel a little more formal.
  • If you’d describe a movie, performance, or meal as more than just “good,” you’re probably on the right track.

Spangram Hint

The spangram today ties everything together. It stretches across the grid and reinforces the main theme. Think about a word that sums up “better than good” in a single strong phrase.

NYT Strands Answers – September 13, 2025

Today’s theme was “Better than good”, and the puzzle delivered a set of uplifting, positive words. Here’s the full solution:

  • Plains
  • Expectations
  • Apes
  • Minds
  • Lakes
  • Stuns

Spangram: They're Great

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.

Did you manage to pull off the win?

The NYT Strands puzzle for September 13, 2025, was all about praise and positivity, highlighting words that go beyond “good” to describe something truly outstanding. Whether you spotted the theme right away or uncovered each synonym step by step, today’s grid was a rewarding mix of challenge and encouragement.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a brand-new theme and puzzle — and let us know in the comments which word took you the longest to find!