NYT Strands is the daily word-search-style puzzle from the New York Times that blends pattern spotting with thematic thinking. For 19 December, the puzzle leaned into the theme “On the chopping block,” serving up a set of tightly connected words and a unifying spangram. It was a fun mix of familiar and slightly technical terms, rewarding careful scanning and a bit of culinary knowledge.

19 December NYT Strands theme: “On the chopping block”

Today’s theme focused on cutting techniques you’d typically hear in a kitchen. The puzzle felt cleverly constructed, with a mix of short, snappy words and longer, more technical ones. The spangram itself was fairly long, but once you spotted it, the rest of the grid started to fall neatly into place.

19 December NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think about common food-prep techniques used with knives.
  • Look for words that describe specific ways of cutting ingredients.
  • Some answers are everyday terms, while others feel more chef-like.
  • Scan the grid for longer words early—they can anchor the puzzle.
  • The spangram ties the entire idea of cutting and preparation together.

19 December NYT Strands: Answers

  • Cube (cutting food into even squares)
  • Dice (small, uniform cuts)
  • Mince (finely chopped pieces)
  • Slice (clean, flat cuts)
  • Julienne (thin, matchstick-style cuts)
  • Chiffonade (fine ribbons, usually of herbs or greens)

Spangram

Making the cut

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

  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.