Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle puts the spotlight on a few small but powerful beauty staples. Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.
With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.
We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #858 on Thursday, July 9.
How to Play Strands
The New York Times
According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:
Find theme words to fill the board.
- Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
- Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
- Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.
Find the “spangram.”
- The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
- The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
- An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.
Need a hint?
- Find non-theme words to get hints.
- For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
- Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.
What Is Today’s Strands Hint for the Theme: “On the lips.“
A hint for today’s Strands game: Stuff for smooching.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Hints?
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
In today’s puzzle, there are eight theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:
- ST
- ST
- BA
- TI
- GL
- LI
- PL
- KI (SPANGRAM)
NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?
Today’s Spangram is a mix of vertical and horizontal.
NYT Strands Spangram Answer for July 9
Today’s Spangram answer on Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, July 9, 2026, isKISSANDMAKEUP.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Thursday, July 9?
- STICK
- STAIN
- BALM
- TINT
- GLOSS
- LINER
- PLUMPER
- SPANGRAM: KISSANDMAKEUP
Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Wednesday, July 8, 2026