If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re looking for some help with playing [**Strands**](https://www.nytimes.com/games/strands), the **New York Times**’ intricate word-search game.

**Strands** offers a fresh take on the classic word search. Words are created by connecting letters in any direction — whether up, down, left, right, or diagonally. The unique feature is that words can shift direction, forming distinctive shapes and patterns. Each letter in the grid contributes to a solution, and all the solutions share a common theme. Furthermore, there’s the “spangram,” a unique word or phrase that captures the day’s theme and stretches across the grid either horizontally or vertically.

—

### **SEE ALSO:**
[Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable](https://games.mashable.com/)

—

Unlike other NYT games like [**Wordle**](https://mashable.com/category/wordle) or [**Connections**](https://mashable.com/category/connections), **Strands** presents a more demanding challenge by offering only a broad hint and lacking a word list. This transforms it into a thought-provoking puzzle that necessitates extra time and effort to crack.

If you find yourself confused or pressed for time, we have all the hints you require to approach today’s **NYT Strands** puzzle at your leisure.

—

### **SEE ALSO:**
[Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 21](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-december-21-2024)
[NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 21](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-December-21-2024)

—

## **Today’s NYT Strands Theme Hint: Keeping the Faith**
The words in today’s challenge pertain to religious practices.

### **Theme Explained**
The solutions are locations where individuals congregate to practice their beliefs.

### **Spangram Hint: Horizontal or Vertical?**
Today’s spangram is horizontal.

### **Spangram Answer**
The spangram for today is **SacredSpaces**.

—

### **NYT Strands Word List for December 21**
Here are the answers for today’s challenge:
– **Temple**
– **Tabernacle**
– **Mosque**
– **Abbey**
– **Monastery**
– **SacredSpaces**

—

Searching for more daily games? Visit [**Mashable’s Games page**](https://mashable.com/category/games) for hints, strategies, and solutions to other puzzles. You can also dive into [**Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more**](https://games.mashable.com/) on Mashable’s games portal.

Did you miss yesterday’s challenge? [Here’s the solution to December 20’s Strands.](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-december-20-2024)