Strands Hint for Today (May 26, 2025): Unlock the Theme and Bonus Words in NYT’s Tricky Word Web

If today’s NYT Strands (Puzzle #449, May 26 2025) has you stumped, here’s a spoiler-free walkthrough that delivers just enough guidance to keep the game fun—plus the full solution for those who want to check their grid. What to Know About Today’s Theme • Daily Theme: “Body language” – every target word is a non-verbal gesture people use around the world. • Spangram Clue: It weaves from one side of the board to the other and literally describes the set of answers. (Answer revealed below.) Quick Strategy Tips for Solving Strands 1. Sweep the perimeter first. Edge letters often anchor the spangram. 2. Hunt for double consonants; they frequently appear in verbs like today’s answers. 3. When the clue references manners or etiquette, scan for international greetings (think bow, nod, salaam). 4. Use shuffle after every three attempts to refresh your visual perspective. Need a Nudge? Try Finding One of These • A respectful bend at the knees. • A two-handed position used in yoga and prayer. • A quick upward movement of shoulders that means “I don’t know.” Full Answer Key (Spoilers Ahead) Spangram: GESTURES Six theme words to highlight: – HANDSHAKE – CURTSEY – KOWTOW – SALUTE – NAMASTE – SHRUG Why Today’s Puzzle Is Trending The Strands grid spotlighted cultural etiquette, sparking discussion about cross-cultural greetings on social media. Players were surprised to see “KOWTOW,” a term with historical nuance, appear alongside modern gestures like “SHRUG.” Combined with recent upgrades to the NYT Games app, traffic to Strands hint pages surged overnight, pushing “strands hint” into breakout-search territory. How to Play NYT Strands (A Refresher) • Find all theme words hidden in any direction. • Double-tap the last letter to lock a word. • An extra hint appears after every three valid words you uncover that are not part of the theme. • The daily reset occurs at midnight local time, so players on the move get a new grid when crossing time zones. Looking Ahead NYT Games tends to rotate themes between pop culture, science, and language quirks. If “Body language” followed yesterday’s pop-music grid, expect something academic or tech-oriented tomorrow. Bookmark this page for fresh Strands hints every morning and subscribe to push notifications so you never start your commute without a clue.