If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re in for another treat. This fresh word game challenges your vocabulary and pattern recognition with clever themes each day.

20 November 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “busybody buzz”

This theme centered on the world of talk, whispers and circulating information — the kinds of words you’d expect in offices, cafés, and social feeds. The puzzle felt tight and thematic, with several near-synonyms clustered together for a pleasantly cohesive solve.

NYT Strands November 20, 2025 Hints

  • Think of everyday words used when people share news informally — both informal and slightly old-fashioned terms appear.
  • Look for shorter, common words running alongside longer variants; overlapping letters are likely.
  • Scan diagonals and backward strings early — Strands often hides chatter at odd angles.
  • Expect near-synonyms: the list repeats the same idea in slightly different registers.
  • Spangram ties the list together — look for a phrase that echoes the idea of getting information out.

NYT Strands November 20, 2025 Answers

  • gossip (casual talk about others)
  • rumor (unverified information circulating)
  • report (a more formal telling or account)
  • hearsay (information received from others, not direct)
  • scuttlebutt (informal term for rumors or gossip)

Spangram

Spread the word

This spangram sums up the theme — a single phrase that uses many or all letters while describing the act of circulating information. It ties each answer to the idea of passing news along.

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

November 19’s Strands reminded us that wisdom is universal, and the search for meaning connects us across cultures. Each answer felt like a small step on a larger spiritual path.