Theme: “We’ve Got Your Back”

Today’s Strands is all about encouragement, resilience, and having the right kind of backup. The theme “We’ve Got Your Back” focuses on words that make you feel protected, supported, and uplifted — exactly the kind of energy we love starting the day with.

Hints for Today’s Strands

Need a nudge before jumping to the solutions? Try these clever hints:

  1. Strength in Numbers: Every answer is about giving strength or support.
  2. Double Comfort: One word even shows up twice — just like when you get extra reassurance.
  3. A Military Touch: One answer sounds like something you’d do before a castle siege.
  4. Positive Vibes: There are no negative words here — it’s all about safety and confidence.
  5. Team Spirit: The spangram is a single powerful word symbolizing unity.
  6. Short & Long Mix: Some are compact (six letters), others feel bigger and bolder.
  7. Synonym Game: If you can think of synonyms for “support,” you’re on the right track.
  8. Emotional Angle: These words aren’t just physical — they’re about mental and emotional strength, too.

Today’s Strands Answers: 21 September 2025

  • FORTIFY – to strengthen or protect
  • COMFORT – to soothe or reassure (yes, it’s here twice!)
  • BOLSTER – to prop up or reinforce
  • STRENGTHEN – make something more powerful
  • SUPPORT – hold up, physically or emotionally

Spangram

SOLIDARITY — the perfect thread that ties the whole theme together, symbolizing standing united and having each other’s backs.

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 21, 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!