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

Strands invites players to discover words concealed within a grid of letters. Contrary to standard word searches, words in Strands can curve and shift direction — ascending, descending, moving left, right, or diagonally — forming surprising shapes. Every letter within the grid contributes to a solution, and all the words are tied together by a shared theme. Additionally, there’s a unique word or phrase known as the “spangram,” which encapsulates the puzzle’s theme and spans the grid either horizontally or vertically.

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What makes Strands particularly challenging is the fact that you’re provided with only a vague hint regarding the theme — no list of words to assist you. This renders it somewhat more time-intensive than other NYT games such as Wordle or Connections.

If you’re pressed for time or simply require a little guidance, we have all the hints and answers you need to complete today’s Strands puzzle at your own speed.

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Today’s NYT Strands Theme Hint:
Riding the wind

Theme Explained:
All the words are connected to water transportation — specifically, items used for traveling over water.

Spangram Direction:
Today’s spangram extends horizontally across the grid.

Spangram Answer:
Sailboat

Strands Word List for May 19:

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

Seeking more daily puzzles and games? Head over to Mashable’s Games page for even more enjoyment, including Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and beyond.

Missed a day? Find the solution to yesterday’s Strands puzzle here.