Players tackling today’s NYT Strands puzzle on Sunday, November 30, 2025, may find themselves challenged by its clever theme and layered structure. For those struggling to build momentum on the grid, today’s hints and full answer breakdown are now available, including the Spangram and all theme words.
Strands, part of The New York Times’ expanding digital games lineup, continues to gain popularity among puzzle enthusiasts who enjoy a more complex challenge than Wordle or Connections. The game requires connecting letters in a 6×8 grid to form related words based on a shared theme. Hidden within each puzzle is the Spangram — a special word that stretches across the board in one continuous path and helps unlock the remainder of the solution.
Today’s Theme
The theme for November 30, 2025, is:
Group membership
The theme provides directional context for solving multiple related words that appear on the board.
Today’s Hint Clues
Here are two starter hints for anyone hoping to solve without fully revealing answers:
Hint #1: Large carnivorous cats
Hint #2: A group of birds is called _____
Players also received an additional clue suggesting the puzzle relates to groups of animals, helping refine potential word matches.
Spangram Direction & Structure
Today’s Spangram runs vertically, extending from bottom to top on the grid.
Spangram hint: begins with “IN”.
NYT Strands Spangram Answer
The Spangram for November 30, 2025, is:
INITTOGETHER
The phrase reflects the puzzle’s theme of unity and collective identity.
All Theme Words for Today
For those who prefer a complete reveal, here are the theme word answers:
ARMY
ANTS
COWS
GEESE
LIONS
PRIDE
HERD
FLOCK
Most of today’s answers center around collective nouns for animal groups, aligning perfectly with the overall theme.
Difficulty Rating
Today’s puzzle is rated 2 out of 5 on difficulty — easier than earlier this week. Players familiar with collective animal terms may find it straightforward, though identifying the Spangram early remains key.
Tips for Solving NYT Strands
Start from corners, where extended patterns often emerge.
Work backward from clues, especially the Spangram direction.
Think literally and figuratively, since word play is frequently involved.
Use a theme word to unlock related pathways.
A fresh Strands puzzle arrives daily, and players continue to appreciate its mix of challenge and creativity. Whether solved through intuition or careful deduction, today’s puzzle highlights why Strands is quickly becoming a fan favorite among digital word games.
