If you’re visiting this page, it’s likely that you’re seeking some assistance with Strands — the New York Times’ clever take on the traditional word search.

Strands asks players to discover words concealed within a letter grid, but with a distinct twist: words can curve in every direction — upward, downward, sideways, diagonally — and can even alter direction within the same word. Each letter within the grid contributes to a solution, and all answers share a common theme. A special word or phrase, referred to as the “spangram,” unifies the theme and spans across the grid either horizontally or vertically.

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Unlike Wordle or Connections, Strands does not provide a list of words to locate. Instead, it presents a broad clue, enhancing the puzzle’s difficulty and time requirement — yet also making it more fulfilling.

If you’re pressed for time or stuck on today’s puzzle, we have hints and answers available to assist you in solving today’s Strands at a comfortable pace.

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Today’s NYT Strands Hint: “Riding the wind”
Clue: The answers are all associated with water.

Theme Explained:
All listed words pertain to means of travel on water.

Spangram Direction:
Today’s spangram is oriented horizontally.

Spangram Answer:
Sailboat

Word List for May 18:

– Mast
– Rigging
– Helm
– Sailboat
– Keel
– Hull
– Rudder
– Stern
– Tiller

Craving more daily puzzles and games? Explore Mashable’s Games page for new challenges every day, including Mahjong, Sudoku, and crosswords.

Did you miss a day? Find the solution to yesterday’s Strands puzzle here.