Feeling a bit rocky, are we? I know we all get that feeling whenever trying to solve the word puzzles put forth by the New York Times’ editors. A few years ago it was Wordle, then came the obsession with Connections, and now Strands, though in beta, is here to keep us busy. The puzzle today was easy but left us parched. Why, you ask? Find out as we take a look at the hints and answers for NYT Strands on Monday, March 18, 2024.
NYT Strand’s official theme hint for March 18
Today’s official theme for the NYT Strands puzzle is “World piece,” and it’s not as simple as it sounds. Is it talking about continents or countries? Do the NYT Editors want to test our knowledge of geography?
I know what the answer is now, but if you are struggling, scroll down below for some hints. Don’t be shy to guess non-theme words to get your hands on some hints. But if you need more help, you can always check out our guide on NYT Strands.
NYT Strands hints for Spangram and theme words
Spangram Hint
Theme Words Hint
What is today’s NYT Strands Answer (March 18)
This section includes the answers to today’s puzzle. You are about to spoil yourself and still have a chance to scroll back up. You’ve been warned.
If you are still stuck solving the puzzle and are ready to see the answers, fret not, as we have listed them out here. Today’s NYT Strands has 7 theme words along with the usual one Spangram, the answer for which is below.
Spangram Answer: TERRAIN
The theme words for today’s puzzle are as follows:
- TUNDRA
- PLAIN
- DESERT
- FOREST
- MARSH
- SWAMP
- MOUNTAIN
thenexden rating for today’s NYT Strands
Today’s puzzle was particularly easy, but you might need a hint to get a headstart. I didn’t need it at the start but used one hint as I felt stuck after spotting a couple of theme words. Still, my rating points to an easy NYT Strands for March 18.
The best thing about solving the NYT Strands puzzle today was that I got to do it with my mom. I explained the rules to her, and it was fun seeing her search the letter grid with the attention of a hawk.
I started us out with a few non-theme words like SAND (thought I had it but nah), STAND, and MARS. She spotted the words PAIN and ERASER; none were today’s theme words. It was at that moment I found TUNDRA at the bottom right of the grid and understood what the theme was referring to. My mom gave me a reassuring nod.
I now started searching for similar land-related words but only saw SUMO and SWAN in the middle of the grid. I didn’t want to use any hints, so I kept looking and quickly came across two more theme words – PLAIN and FOREST. And then it was thinking, thinking, thinking again.
Since I could not find any other theme words, my mom suggested we use a hint we had collected with my non-theme guesses. Strands highlighted the word MARSH at the top left, leaving out only the T in the first column. It was then that we both spotted today’s Spangram, i.e. TERRAIN, smack dab in the middle.
My mom was grinning at this point, having spotted the most important word in the grid. I brought the puzzle home by marking the final two words – MOUNTAIN and SWAMP. And I thought to myself that painfully easy, wish I had taken some more time and not used that hint. But whatever, I had fun solving the puzzle with my mom.
That’s all for today. See you tomorrow with another puzzle that hopefully doesn’t leave us stranded.
