NYT Crossword Clues and Solutions for April 20, 2026
Today’s NYT Strands hints are easy if you’re a shining star. Strands, the New York Times’ elevated word-search game, invites players to enjoy a delightful twist on the classic word search. Words can be formed from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, with the added joy of changing directions, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid contributes to an answer, and there is always an underlying theme connecting each solution. Accompanying this is the “spangram,” a special word or phrase that encapsulates that day’s theme and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
By offering a subtle hint and not providing the word list, Strands crafts a brain-teasing experience that allows for a more leisurely pace compared to other games, like Wordle and Connections. If you find yourself pausing or if you’re short on time today, we’ve gathered all the NYT Strands hints to help you progress at your own comfortable pace.
Today’s NYT Strands Theme: Gloriously Glaring!
The words for today are connected by the theme of shine.
Understanding Today’s NYT Strands Theme
Today’s words describe things that shine brightly.
NYT Strands Spangram Hint
Is it vertical or horizontal? Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands Spangram Answer for Today
Today’s spangram is Catch the Light.
NYT Strands Word List for Today
- Glisten
- Gleam
- Glitter
- Catch the Light
- Glimmer
- Glow
- Glint
If you’re seeking additional daily online games, explore our games hub for a variety of delightful puzzles, including Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more. And if today’s theme isn’t quite what you’re looking for, you can also find the solution to yesterday’s Strands.
