November 14 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “Low-key elusive”
This theme played on the idea of things that are soft, vague, or almost invisible — words that describe something just out of full focus. It was a clever linguistic trick, testing players’ ability to think in shades of subtlety rather than obviousness. A calm yet challenging puzzle for a Friday.
November 14 2025 NYT Strands: Hints
- Think of things that are not strong or loud — barely noticeable.
- The grid focuses on words that describe weak presence or unclear definition.
- Look for synonyms of “vague” or “light.”
- Expect a few words that could describe soft colors, light sounds, or indistinct outlines.
- Spangram: It ties all of these together — something you can almost see or sense.
November 14 2025 NYT Strands: Answers
- Subtle
- Faint
- Tenuous
- Nebulous
- Understated
Spangram: Barelythere
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.
Tips to become a NYT Strands pro
- Start with obvious connections to the theme — even if they feel too simple.
- Check diagonals early; tricky words often hide at an angle.
- Use found words as anchors — they often reveal patterns nearby.
- Collect hints by spotting bonus words, but save them for when you’re stuck.
- Think beyond direct meanings — Strands loves wordplay and conceptual links.
Final thoughts
Today’s puzzle was subtle in every sense — calm yet tricky, with gentle connections that rewarded patient solvers. “Barelythere” made for a perfect spangram to cap it off. How many of these faint finds did you manage to spot before the reveal?
Discussion