New York Times Strands Hints and Answers for January 8, 2025

Strands Puzzle #311 Solution and Walkthrough (January 8, 2025)

Strands presents a challenging word puzzle: decipher the theme using a cryptic clue and locate the themed words within a letter grid. Today's puzzle, with its difficult vocabulary and vague hint ("Time for an Upgrade"), requires some strategic assistance. This walkthrough provides hints and solutions without spoiling the entire experience.

The Puzzle:

The image below shows the letter grid for today's puzzle. The clue is "Time for an Upgrade." Six words are to be found: a pangram and five themed words.

Hints:

Three progressively revealing hints, avoiding specific words, guide you toward the theme:

Hint 1: Redo a part of your home. [read more]

Hint 2: Revamp your food-making room. [read more]

Hint 3: Upgrades you might make to your food-making room. [read more]

Partial Spoilers (Two Words):

If you need more help, here are two words with their locations in the grid:

Word 1: Backsplash

[read more]

Word 2: Oven

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Complete Solution:

Ready for the full answer? The theme is Kitchen Remodel. The words are: Oven, Island, Sink, Backsplash, and Countertop.

[read more]

Explanation:

The clue "Time for an Upgrade" fits perfectly because these items are commonly replaced during a kitchen remodel. Each word represents a kitchen element that contributes to a refreshed look.

[read more]

Play Strands:

Enjoy this challenging word puzzle! Access the New York Times Games Strands website on your preferred device.