If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re not alone. It’s a fresh word game from the New York Times that combines elements of a word search with clever, theme-based twists.
22 April 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Earth Day”
Today’s theme leans heavily into eco-awareness, fitting perfectly with Earth Day. The puzzle focuses on actions individuals can take to reduce waste and support the planet. The vocabulary is fairly accessible, but the clever placement and overlap of words can make it a bit tricky to spot everything quickly.
22 April 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Think of everyday habits that help reduce environmental impact.
- Look for words related to sustainability and waste management.
- Many answers are verbs describing actions you can take.
- The grid includes a mix of short and medium-length words.
- Consider the “3 Rs” and similar eco-friendly practices.
- Spangram ties the list together as a broader environmental concept.
22 April 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- REPAIR (fixing items instead of discarding them)
- REDUCE (cutting down on waste or consumption)
- REUSE (using items again instead of throwing them away)
- RECYCLE (processing materials to make them usable again)
- DONATE (giving items a second life through others)
- REFILL (reusing containers instead of buying new ones)
Spangram
CONSERVATION
This spangram captures the core idea of protecting and preserving resources. It connects all the smaller actions in the puzzle, emphasizing sustainable habits that contribute to long-term environmental care.
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.
How to get and use hints
Hints are built right into Strands, and they’re super useful if you’re stuck:
- To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
- Each valid extra word gives you one hint.
- When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be revealed automatically, helping you move forward.
Pro tip: Don’t just burn hints — use them strategically when the grid feels impossible. Sometimes a single revealed word unlocks the entire board.
Tips to become a NYT Strands pro
- Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
- Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
- Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
- Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
- Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.
Final thoughts
This was a moderately easy and satisfying puzzle, especially with its timely Earth Day theme. The words were intuitive but still engaging to uncover. How many did you find before checking the answers?
