Play Strands #865
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #865 hints
Today's official theme is ""Rerouting ..."". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for words that describe what a driver, sailor, or runner does when they leave a straight path and head a different way.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 7 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a two-part phrase for altering your direction or plan entirely, and it stretches across the whole board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: D, P, S, T, T, V, Z.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 12 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #865 in numbers
- Theme words
- 7
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 12 letters
- Longest theme word
- 7 letters
Strands #865 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for July 16, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
TACK. It starts in row 7, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
TURN. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (4 letters)
VEER. It starts in row 6, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (5 letters)
PIVOT. It starts in row 4, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
SWERVE. It starts in row 5, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (6 letters)
ZIGZAG. It starts in row 2, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 7 (7 letters)
DEVIATE. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
The spangram (12 letters)
CHANGECOURSE. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: CHANGECOURSE
Theme words: DEVIATE, PIVOT, SWERVE, TACK, TURN, VEER, ZIGZAG
The clue 'Rerouting ...' points to changing direction, which is exactly what CHANGECOURSE means. Each theme word, like DEVIATE, PIVOT, SWERVE, TACK, TURN, VEER, and ZIGZAG, is a different way of shifting from your original path.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 15 | #864 | Rose-colored glasses |
| Jul 14 | #863 | Make yourself comfortable |
| Jul 13 | #862 | Just what I needed |
| Jul 12 | #861 | In the Big Apple |
| Jul 11 | #860 | Fishy fare |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Jul 16
Strands #865 questions
What was the Strands spangram on July 16, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #865 was CHANGECOURSE, for the theme ""Rerouting ..."".
What were the Strands theme words on July 16, 2026?
DEVIATE, PIVOT, SWERVE, TACK, TURN, VEER, ZIGZAG, plus the spangram CHANGECOURSE.
What did the Strands #865 clue mean?
The clue 'Rerouting ...' points to changing direction, which is exactly what CHANGECOURSE means. Each theme word, like DEVIATE, PIVOT, SWERVE, TACK, TURN, VEER, and ZIGZAG, is a different way of shifting from your original path.