New York Times Crossword Hints and Solutions Revealed

Strands Puzzle #311 Solution and Walkthrough (January 8, 2025)

Strands presents a challenging word puzzle: decipher the theme and locate the themed words within a letter grid, using only a single clue. Today's puzzle, "Time for an Upgrade," proves particularly tricky. This walkthrough provides assistance without completely spoiling the fun.

The NYT Games Strands Puzzle #311 (January 8, 2025)

The clue is "Time for an Upgrade." Six words are hidden: a pangram and five themed words.

Hints (Spoiler-Free)

These hints nudge you towards the theme without revealing specific words:

General Hint 1

Hint 1: Refurbish a home area.

General Hint 2

Hint 2: Renovate your cooking space.

General Hint 3

Hint 3: Potential cooking space improvements.

Partial Spoilers (One Word at a Time)

Need a little more help? Here are two words with their locations:

Spoiler 1

Word 1: Backsplash

Spoiler 2

Word 2: Oven

Complete Solution

Ready for the full answer? The theme and word locations are revealed below:

The theme is Kitchen Remodel. The words are Oven, Island, Sink, Backsplash, and Countertop.

Solution Explanation

"Time for an Upgrade" fits perfectly, as these items are commonly replaced during a kitchen remodel. Each word represents a replaceable kitchen component.

Play Strands!

Ready to test your skills? Access the New York Times Games Strands website on your preferred browser.