NYT Strands hints, answers for November 20, 2025
The New York Times has introduced an intriguing twist to the classic word search with its game, Strands. Unlike traditional word searches, Strands allows players to link letters in multiple directions—up, down, left, right, and diagonally—while also enabling words to change direction, creating unique shapes and patterns. Every letter in the grid contributes to an answer, ensuring that players engage deeply with the puzzle. Strands is designed to be more challenging and time-consuming than other popular NYT games like Wordle and Connections, as it provides an opaque hint without a word list, adding an extra layer of brain-teasing complexity. Each puzzle is themed, culminating in a “spangram,” a special word or phrase that encapsulates the day’s theme and spans the grid either horizontally or vertically.
For players who may find themselves stuck or short on time, the NYT Strands hints for today’s puzzle offer a helpful guide. The theme for today’s Strands is “Busybody Buzz,” with answers related to the latest stories and gossip circulating in the community. The spangram for today is “Spread the Word,” which is presented vertically in the grid. The word list for November 20 includes terms like “Rumor,” “Report,” “Gossip,” “Hearsay,” and “Scuttlebutt,” all of which reflect the theme of communication and information sharing. For those looking for additional challenges, the NYT offers a variety of other games, including Mahjong and Sudoku, which can be explored through Mashable’s dedicated games hub.
Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle solver or just looking to pass the time, the NYT Strands game provides an engaging way to flex your mental muscles while staying connected to the latest buzz in the world around you. With its innovative format and thematic consistency, Strands is sure to captivate word enthusiasts and casual players alike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heJ_K9w1Mj0
Today’s NYT Strands hints are easy if you’re always in the know.
Strands
, the
New York Times
‘ elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There’s always a theme linking every solution, along with the “spangram,” a special, word or phrase that sums up that day’s theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
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Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like
Wordle
and
Connections
.
If you’re feeling stuck or just don’t have 10 or more minutes to figure out today’s puzzle, we’ve got all the NYT Strands hints for today’s puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO:
Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 20, 2025
SEE ALSO:
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 20, 2025
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Busybody buzz
The words are related to stories.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe the word on the street.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?
Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer today
Today’s spangram is
Spread the Word.
NYT Strands word list for November 20
Rumor
Report
Gossip
Hearsay
Spread the Word
Scuttlebutt
Looking for other daily online games?
Mashable’s Games page
has more hints, a
nd if you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now!
Check out our
games hub
for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after?
Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Strands.
