If you’ve arrived here, it’s likely that you need some assistance with Strands — the New York Times’ inventive spin on the traditional word search puzzle.

Strands invites participants to discover words concealed within a letter grid. Unlike conventional word searches, the words in Strands can flex and curve in all directions — upwards, downwards, diagonally, and can even change direction mid-word. Each letter in the grid is integral to a solution, and all the words are linked by a shared theme. Additionally, there’s a unique word or phrase known as the “spangram” that embodies the theme of the puzzle and spans the entire grid, either horizontally or vertically.

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What sets Strands apart from other NYT games like Wordle or Connections is that it does not provide you with a list of words. Instead, you receive an ambiguous clue and must deduce the rest. It’s a mental workout that may take a bit longer — but that adds to the enjoyment.

If you’re pressed for time or just need a little guidance, we’ve gathered all the hints and solutions you require for today’s Strands puzzle.

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Today’s NYT Strands Theme Hint:
Get out the dust buster!
The words all relate to the home.

Theme Explained:
These are all activities you might undertake to spruce up your area for a new season.

Spangram Hint:
Today’s spangram runs horizontally across the grid.

Spangram Answer:
Spring Cleaning

Today’s Word List for Strands (May 25):

– Donate
– Spring Cleaning
– Sell
– Declutter
– Label
– Reorganize

Eager to dive into more daily games? Visit Mashable’s Games page for additional puzzles, hints, and exciting challenges.

Explore our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and more.

Searching for yesterday’s puzzle? Here’s the solution to the May 24 Strands.