If today’s NYT Strands puzzle for 28 November 2025 has left you staring at the grid for longer than usual, you are not alone. The theme feels gentle and uplifting, yet the letter layout made it difficult to trace word paths. Many players reported that the puzzle required more patience than in recent days. Whether you are saving your streak or simply looking to finish with clarity, here are the hints, the spangram and the complete list of answers for today.
What is NYT Strands , and how does it work
NYT Strands is a daily word search puzzle arranged in a six-by-eight letter grid. Each puzzle is based on a theme, and the objective is to identify all theme-related words hidden within the board. In addition to the theme words, there is one special spangram that uses every letter in the grid at least once and ties the puzzle theme together.Words can bend and travel in any direction, including diagonally and in curved routes. Once all theme words and the spangram are discovered, the puzzle is marked complete.
NYT Strands puzzle hints for 28 November 2025
Here are some clues to help guide your solving process:
- Theme clue: Think in terms of wishes and hope.
- Spangram clue: A short phrase that describes the act of believing in a wish.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging, due to curved letter paths.
If you get stuck, remember that discovering three non-theme words activates a hint feature that highlights a helpful cluster of letters.
NYT Strands puzzle spangram for 28 November 2025
MAKE A WISHThis phrase reflects the overall theme and stretches through the grid in a broad path.
NYT Strands puzzle answers for 28 November 2025
Here are the theme words for today:WISH MAGIC HOPE DREAM STAR BELIEVE(These may appear in curved paths, reversed or diagonal.)
Why the NYT Strands puzzle felt tricky today
Although the theme was relatively easy to predict, the arrangement of letters created misleading routes, which made it harder to identify the correct connections. Several words shared overlapping clusters, which required careful attention to avoid tracing the wrong path. Many players noted that they solved the spangram last, rather than first, because the phrase structure was not immediately obvious.
Tips to solve NYT Strands more efficiently
• Begin by scanning the edges of the grid, where longer theme words frequently start. • Try identifying the spangram early because it often reveals useful anchor points. • Experiment with reversing paths if a word seems partially visible. • Take advantage of hints if the board becomes confusing.The 28 November puzzle offered an engaging balance of challenge and positivity. With a theme centred around hope and imagination, it presented a refreshing contrast to some of the more complex thematic puzzles seen recently. Whether solved independently or with hints, today’s Strands delivered a satisfying brain exercise and a reason to look forward to tomorrow’s challenge.
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