Today’s NYT Strands theme, A Nobel Effort, leaned into the world of Nobel prizes — familiar but weighty category words that reward careful scanning. The puzzle mixed straightforward category names with a satisfying spangram that ties the list together, making it feel academic and celebratory at once.

10 December 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “A Nobel Effort”

10 December 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think of major award categories when you scan the grid — these are big, familiar words.
  • Look for longer words first; the spangram and category names are often among the longest entries.
  • Scan diagonals and reverse directions — Strands hides formal-sounding words at angles.
  • Expect simple, formal vocabulary rather than obscure jargon.
  • Spangram: the spangram ties the list together — find it to link the remaining answers.

10 December 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Peace (the prize recognizing efforts toward peace and conflict resolution).
  • Physics (the prize for breakthroughs in physical sciences).
  • Medicine (awarded for advances in medical science and biology).
  • Chemistry (honors achievements in chemical sciences and related research).
  • Literature (for distinguished writing and contributions to letters).

Spangram

Laureates

The spangram "Laureates" pulls letters from the grid to connect each answer, honoring Nobel winners and highlighting the five prize categories that recognize excellence across science, arts, and peace today.

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 5–8 theme words.

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 A Nobel Effort puzzle played as a pleasant, moderate challenge: familiar vocabulary but a satisfying spangram. It rewards methodical scanning and diagonal checks. How many of the five did you find — and did the spangram seal the win?