The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for October 23, 2023, challenges players to uncover a set of interconnected words based on a hidden theme. Today’s puzzle features a particularly dangerous topic: poisonous plants.
Puzzle Hints and Theme
The central theme is “Please don’t eat me!”, referencing highly toxic flora. A helpful clue for struggling players is: “Remember Mr. Yuk?” – the warning symbol often used on poisonous products. The puzzle’s structure requires finding words of four letters or more to unlock in-game hints that reveal the overarching theme words.
Key Words and Solutions
To unlock hints, any four-letter word will work, but here are some that were used to solve today’s puzzle: POND, NOON, NODE, BALE, SOCK, LOVE, LOCK, MOCK, LEER, REEL, GLOVE, DAIS, LEAN, LEAD, REEL.
The full solutions for today’s Strands are:
- AZALEA
- HEMLOCK
- FOXGLOVE
- OLEANDER
- BELLADONNA
The spangram, the theme word that stretches across the entire grid, is POISONOUS. Players should locate the initial ‘P’ on the far left of the top row and trace the word diagonally.
Challenging Past Puzzles
Some previous Strands puzzles have proven exceptionally difficult. The January 21 puzzle with “Dated slang” was particularly tough, with the word “PHAT” being a major stumbling block. The January 15 puzzle, focused on marine biology, also presented a challenge, with “BALEEN” or “RIGHT” being the most difficult terms to identify.
Strands relies on pattern recognition and vocabulary. The difficulty lies in connecting seemingly random letters into thematic words. The puzzle encourages systematic searching rather than guessing, making it a rewarding exercise for word enthusiasts.
