Did you know that engaging in daily word puzzles can significantly sharpen cognitive functions, with some studies suggesting an improvement in memory recall by up to 15%? (Cognitive Neuroscience Review, 2023). For enthusiasts of the New York Times' latest word game, Strands, mastering the daily challenge is a rewarding mental workout. If you're searching for today's NYT Strands hints and the ultimate solution for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, you've come to the right place. The intriguing theme for today's puzzle is "That's not very polite," guiding players to uncover words related to common discourteous actions. We'll provide strategic clues, expert tips, and ultimately, the complete answer to help you conquer the grid.
Decoding NYT Strands: The Basics
Strands offers a unique blend of a word search and a crossword puzzle, challenging players to find hidden words within a grid of letters. Each puzzle revolves around a central theme, which is revealed through a brief clue. Your primary goal is to identify all the theme words and, most importantly, the "spangram." This special word explicitly defines the puzzle's theme and stretches across the entire board, either horizontally or vertically. Locating the spangram, highlighted in yellow, often unlocks the rest of the puzzle's secrets.
Unlike traditional word searches, Strands allows words to snake in any direction—up, down, left, right, or diagonally—but each letter can only be used once. Successfully identifying a theme word highlights it in blue. If you find yourself stuck, the game offers a clever hint system: submit three non-theme words (four letters or more) to earn a hint, which will illuminate the letters of one of the remaining theme words. This makes today's NYT Strands hints particularly valuable for those tricky days.
Exclusive Hints for Today's Strands Puzzle (Jan 21, 2026)
Ready to tackle the "That's not very polite" theme? Before we reveal the full solution, here are some carefully crafted clues to nudge you in the right direction. Remember to scroll slowly and take only the assistance you need to preserve the challenge.
Spangram Clue
Think about a common parental admonishment when a child exhibits poor manners or an inappropriate demeanor during a first encounter. It's a direct instruction about social grace.
Theme Words Clue
The hidden words represent various actions or behaviors that are widely considered disrespectful, rude, or lacking in courtesy. These are things you wouldn't want to be caught doing in polite company. Examples of such behaviors could include making a loud, inappropriate noise, or speaking over someone without permission (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Spoilers Ahead! Today's Strands Answers
For those who are ready to unveil the full solution, proceed with caution! We are about to reveal the complete spangram and all theme words for today's NYT Strands hints puzzle. Don't say we didn't warn you!
The Spangram Revealed
The spangram for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with the theme "That's not very polite" is: DONTBERUDE.
Today's Theme Words
The impolite behaviors hidden within the grid are:
- GLOAT
- TEASE
- BURP
- SHOUT
- STARE
- POINT
- INTERRUPT
Additionally, other behaviors that fit this theme could be LITTER, CUTINLINE, or GOSSIP, though these are not in today's specific puzzle.
The Solved Board
Here’s how the completed Strands board looks once all the words are found:
Mastering Your Strands Strategy
Approaching Strands effectively often involves a two-pronged strategy. First, immerse yourself in the theme. For "That's not very polite," my initial thought process immediately gravitated towards words associated with rudeness or breaches of etiquette. I systematically scanned the grid for patterns, quickly spotting "RUDE" near the bottom. While not a theme word itself, it strongly hinted at the spangram's conclusion, leading me to uncover DONTBERUDE.
Once the spangram was secured, identifying the theme words became significantly easier. I looked for distinct verbs or nouns describing rude actions. "STARE" in the upper right was an early find, followed by "POINT" and "INTERRUPT." Moving to the left edge, "BURP" and "SHOUT" emerged, and "TEASE" appeared above "BURP." Finally, "GLOAT" completed the puzzle. This methodical approach, combining keyword association with visual scanning, is key to deciphering today's NYT Strands hints.
Remember, Strands is designed to be a solvable and engaging experience. There's no penalty for incorrect guesses, only the satisfaction of uncovering each hidden word. You can play Strands daily on the New York Times website or through the NYT Games app, making it a perfect addition to your routine for cognitive stimulation (Harvard Health Publishing, 2024).
Strands #689
“That's not very polite”
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