NYT Strands is the daily word-search/word-find style puzzle from the New York Times. Today’s theme — All over the place — leaned into synonyms of disorder and upheaval, asking solvers to spot words that describe scattered, unruly situations. The puzzle offered a compact set of theme words and a spangram that ties them together.

13 December 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “All over the place”

This theme collects words that suggest disorder, turbulence, and things being out of order. The puzzle felt lively and literal — many answers are obvious synonyms — but placement and diagonal tricks kept it from being a pure giveaway. Expect energetic, slightly dramatic vocabulary.

13 December 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think of words you’d use to describe a chaotic scene after a sudden storm or a raucous party.
  • Look for both short and long synonyms — the grid mixes compact and longer entries.
  • Scan diagonals and zig-zag patterns; several answers may be tucked at angles.
  • Expect one longer, dramatic entry that ties the theme together.
  • Spangram: the puzzle includes a spangram phrase that sums up the whole theme.

13 December 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Stormy (weather-driven disorder; also metaphorical turbulence).
  • Unruly (hard to control or manage).
  • Chaotic (complete lack of order).
  • Disorderly (messy or lacking proper arrangement).
  • Tumultuous (loud, confused, or marked by disturbance).

Spangram

Thats Wild

Spangram explanation: Spangram THATS WILD — a punchy exclamation that captures the puzzle’s chaotic theme, linking the answers by suggesting a single reaction to all the disorderly words. It sums the set in an informal phrase.

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. This puzzle had 5 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 puzzle played moderate — straightforward vocabulary but tricky placement. The theme was fun and cohesive, and the spangram gave the grid a cheeky finish. How many did you find?