NYT Strands is The New York Times' daily word-search puzzle that challenges solvers to find themed words hidden in a dense letter grid. Today's theme is "Tip Top," celebrating words that describe the highest point, greatest achievement, and ultimate excellence.

25 November 2025 NYT Strands Theme: "Tip Top"

This "Tip Top" theme celebrates the vocabulary of achievement. The constructor favored synonyms for the highest point and peak performance, creating a vertically-oriented puzzle that feels like climbing toward the top. Expect a mix of descriptive terms that all point toward reaching maximum height, quality, or standing. The spangram ties it all together with a phrase that captures the boundary of achievement.

25 November 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think of terms for the highest point or greatest degree of achievement.
  • Synonyms often used for maximum altitude, excellence, or standing.
  • Look for directional clues—today's puzzle rewards vertical scanning.
  • One longer phrase will define the entire theme: the spangram that ties everything together.
  • Spangram Hint: Think of a phrase meaning the absolute boundary of success or maximum achievement.

25 November 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • APEX (the highest point; the peak of perfection)
  • SUMMIT (the top of a mountain; the highest level)
  • ACME (the highest point of achievement or excellence)
  • HEIGHT (the highest point of measurement or excellence)
  • PEAK (the highest point or culminating moment)
  • ZENITH (the highest point in the sky; the peak of success)
  • PINNACLE (the highest point or peak of something)

Spangram

UPPER LIMIT

The spangram that ties the list together represents the absolute peak or maximum boundary of achievement.

How Strands Works

Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a distinctive twist:

  • You're given a theme that guides your word hunt.
  • The grid is packed with hidden words tied to that specific theme.
  • Words can run in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
  • Once you find all the theme words and the spangram, you've solved the puzzle!

Each puzzle typically contains 5–8 theme words, plus the all-important spangram that stretches across the board.

Tips to Become a NYT Strands Pro

  • Scan vertically first today. Today's puzzle rewards vertical exploration—look for words stacked from top to bottom, especially the spangram.
  • Hunt for the spangram immediately. The spangram often reveals the theme's heart, making it easier to spot the remaining words.
  • Look for directional patterns. Once you identify one word, the leftover letters often point toward the next in sequence.
  • Group by synonyms. All these words describe the same concept—reaching the top—so think about what connects them thematically.
  • Use hints strategically. Earn hints by finding three-letter or longer non-themed words, then cash them in when you're truly stuck.
  • Think metaphorically. Peak, summit, zenith—all describe reaching heights, whether physical, achievement-based, or metaphorical.

Final Thoughts

Today's "Tip Top" puzzle delivers a satisfying vertical challenge that celebrates the language of excellence and achievement. The constructor did an excellent job creating a puzzle that feels like climbing upward toward a goal. All seven theme words relate cohesively to reaching maximum altitude or success, with the spangram "Upper Limit" serving as the perfect capstone.