Welcome to today’s NYT Strands puzzle guide! If you’re looking for hints or solutions for the December 23, 2025 puzzle, you’re in the right place. We’ll provide strategic clues to help you crack today’s theme without spoiling the experience, followed by the complete answers when you need them.
What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is an engaging word search puzzle game from The New York Times that challenges players to find hidden words connected by a common theme. Unlike traditional word searches, Strands requires you to identify the thematic connection between words and locate the special “spangram” – a word or phrase that spans across the entire board and reveals the puzzle’s theme.
Ready to play today’s puzzle? Visit NYT Strands to get started!
Today’s Theme Hint
Theme: Br-r-r-r-r!
This evocative theme hint suggests something that might make you shiver! Think about the sensation you feel when temperatures drop significantly. The theme relates to words that describe various degrees of coldness – from mildly uncomfortable to absolutely bone-chilling conditions.
General Hints for Today’s Puzzle
- Number of theme words: 6 words
- Theme category: Temperature and weather descriptors
- Difficulty level: Medium – the words range from common to more sophisticated vocabulary
- Letter usage: Look for words with 4-8 letters
- Connection: All words describe cold temperatures or conditions
Strategic Hints (No Spoilers)
Word Length Hints:
- Two 4-letter words
- Two 6-letter words
- One 5-letter word
- One 8-letter word
Letter Pattern Hints:
- Several words start with common consonants (C, F, G, P)
- Look for double letters in some words
- One word contains the letter combination “GL”
- Another word ends in “-ING”
Meaning Hints:
- Word 1: A casual, everyday term for cold weather
- Word 2: Slightly more intense than the first, often describes weather
- Word 3: Relates to the extreme regions of Earth
- Word 4: Sounds like it could describe an ice sheet
- Word 5: Often used to describe extremely cold air
- Word 6: The continuous form of what happens at 0°C
Spangram Hint
The spangram for today perfectly captures the theme in a playful, conversational way. It’s a two-word phrase (written as one word in the puzzle) that’s the opposite of being warm. Think about how you might describe a cold day in casual conversation – what’s the opposite of “hot”?
Spangram letter count: 8 letters total Format: Two words combined into one
Tips for Solving Today’s Strands
- Start with the theme: Understanding “Br-r-r-r-r!” is key. This onomatopoeia represents shivering from cold!
- Look for obvious words first: Begin with common cold-related words before moving to more sophisticated vocabulary.
- Find the spangram: Once you identify the spangram, it often helps reveal the positions of other theme words.
- Work systematically: Scan the board row by row or column by column to avoid missing words.
- Consider synonyms: Think of all the different ways to describe cold temperatures, from mild to extreme.
Related NYT Games for Today
Expand your daily puzzle routine with these other word games:
- Wordle 1648 Hints and Answer for December 23, 2025
- Quordle Hints and Answer for December 23, 2025
- Worldle Hints and Answer for December 23, 2025
- Globle Hints and Answer for December 23, 2025
- Bandle Hints and Answer for December 23, 2025
Why This Theme is Perfect for Late December
Today’s theme is particularly fitting for December 23rd, as we’re right in the heart of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The “Br-r-r-r-r!” theme captures the essence of the cold season, making this puzzle seasonally appropriate and relatable for many players experiencing chilly weather.
⚠️ SPOILER WARNING ⚠️
The complete answers are revealed below. Only scroll down if you’re ready to see the solutions!
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NYT Strands Answers for December 23, 2025
Theme: Br-r-r-r-r!
Words that describe cold temperatures
Theme Words:
- COOL – Moderately cold; a low temperature that’s noticeably below warm
- CHILLY – Uncomfortably cold; causing a sensation of coldness
- POLAR – Extremely cold; relating to the Earth’s poles
- GLACIAL – Intensely cold; like ice or relating to glaciers
- FRIGID – Extremely cold; bitterly chilly temperatures
- FREEZING – At or below the temperature at which water turns to ice
Spangram:
NOTSOHOT – A casual, colloquial way of saying something is cold; the opposite of hot
Word Definitions Explained
COOL – The mildest word in today’s puzzle, describing pleasantly low temperatures or something that’s lost its heat.
CHILLY – A step colder than cool, this word describes weather or conditions that make you want to grab a sweater or jacket.
POLAR – References the extreme cold of Earth’s polar regions, representing severe freezing conditions.
GLACIAL – Derived from glacier, this word describes ice-cold temperatures or something moving extremely slowly (like a glacier).
FRIGID – One of the strongest words for cold, indicating intensely low temperatures that can be painful or dangerous.
FREEZING – The most literal word in the set, referring to the specific temperature at which water becomes ice (0°C or 32°F).
NOTSOHOT (Spangram) – A humorous understatement meaning cold. This playful phrase perfectly captures the theme while spanning the board.
How Did You Do?
Today’s Strands puzzle offered a nice progression of cold-related vocabulary, from the everyday “cool” to the more dramatic “glacial” and “frigid.” The spangram “NOTSOHOT” adds a touch of humor with its understated description of cold conditions.
Did you manage to find all the words before checking the answers? The seasonal theme made this puzzle particularly enjoyable for a December day!
Return tomorrow for fresh hints and solutions, and don’t forget to challenge yourself with the other word games linked above!
Play today’s puzzle at NYT Strands
