NYT Threads Hints and Answers for August 4, 2025

If you’re perusing this, you’re in search of help with Strands, the New York Times‘ elegant word-search challenge.

Strands presents a distinctive take on the classic word search. Words can be composed from adjoining letters — upwards, downwards, sideways, diagonally, and can alter direction, forming unique shapes and designs. Every character in the grid contributes to an answer. There’s always a central theme linking each solution, along with the “spangram,” a unique word or phrase that embodies the day’s theme and stretches across the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.

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By providing an ambiguous clue and omitting a word list, Strands establishes a demanding game that requires more time to complete than alternatives like Wordle and Connections.

If you’re at an impasse or lack 10 or more minutes to tackle today’s challenge, we offer all the NYT Strands hints necessary to continue at your desired pace.

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NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Cutting it close

The terms are related to grooming.

Today’s NYT Strands theme clearly elucidated

These terms refer to types of styling implements.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

This day’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

This day’s spangram is Barbershop.