The New York Times daily word game Strands presents a fresh challenge every day, testing your vocabulary and pattern recognition. Today’s puzzle, #566 from September 20, features a theme that will resonate with many: Dire straits. This phrase, a play on the name of the legendary rock band Dire Straits, refers to a difficult or dangerous situation.
Understanding the Theme: What Does “Dire Straits” Mean?
Before diving into the puzzle, it’s helpful to understand the theme. “Dire straits” is an idiomatic expression meaning a very difficult or dangerous situation. Think of someone in a predicament or facing serious trouble. This theme guides you to find words that connect to this concept of being in trouble or difficulty.
Need a Hint? Here’s Some Guidance
If you’re feeling stuck, here’s a pointer without giving away the entire theme: You’re likely looking for words related to being in a bind or a troublesome situation.
For even more specific, in-game hints, you can unlock them by finding other words in the puzzle. Once you find three words of four letters or more, the game reveals one of the theme words. Here are the words that can help you unlock those hints:
- PICKLE
- MESS
- MUDDLE
- DILEMMA
- QUANDRY
- PREDICAMENT
The Solution: Words from the Trough to the Spangram
Congratulations, you’ve navigated the challenge! Here are all the words for today’s Strands puzzle, including the spangram (the crossword-style word that spans the entire grid):
Theme Words (6 total)
These words all relate to being in a difficult or confusing situation:
- PICKLE
- MESS
- MUDDLE
- DILEMMA
- QUANDRY
- PREDICAMENT
Spangram (7 letters)
The spangram, which uses all the letters on the board, is:
DIREREME
(Note: While this word directly incorporates “DIRE” and “STRAITS,” the theme is more about the meaning of being in a difficult situation, which these words collectively represent.)
More Puzzles?
Today’s Strands puzzle is a great example of the NYT’s commitment to daily word challenges. If you’re looking for help with other games, remember you can always visit the official NYT Games page for Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword
