Play Strands #882
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 #882 hints
Today's official theme is "Eyes on the prize". 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 person is working toward or hopes to accomplish in the future.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
It's a two-part phrase that you might hear in a pep talk, telling you to set your sights way up and not settle for less.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: A, G, I, O, P, P.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 7 letters and runs from right to left.
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Strands #882 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 7 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #882 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 2, 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)
GOAL. It starts in row 2, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
PLAN. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (7 letters)
PURPOSE. It starts in row 5, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (8 letters)
AMBITION. It starts in row 3, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (9 letters)
INTENTION. It starts in row 6, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (9 letters)
OBJECTIVE. It starts in row 8, column 5, counting from the top left.
The spangram (7 letters)
AIMHIGH. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: AIMHIGH
Theme words: AMBITION, GOAL, INTENTION, OBJECTIVE, PLAN, PURPOSE
The clue 'Eyes on the prize' is about keeping your focus on what you want to achieve, which fits words like GOAL, AMBITION, INTENTION, OBJECTIVE, PLAN, and PURPOSE. The spangram AIMHIGH ties them together by describing the attitude of reaching for those targets.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 1 | #881 | "As if!" |
| Jul 31 | #880 | Summer sign |
| Jul 30 | #879 | Trade names |
| Jul 29 | #878 | A made man |
| Jul 28 | #877 | Leave nothing out |
| Jul 27 | #876 | Let the journey begin |
| Jul 26 | #875 | All-knowing |
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 Aug 2
Strands #882 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 2, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #882 was AIMHIGH, for the theme "Eyes on the prize".
What were the Strands theme words on August 2, 2026?
AMBITION, GOAL, INTENTION, OBJECTIVE, PLAN, PURPOSE, plus the spangram AIMHIGH.
What did the Strands #882 clue mean?
The clue 'Eyes on the prize' is about keeping your focus on what you want to achieve, which fits words like GOAL, AMBITION, INTENTION, OBJECTIVE, PLAN, and PURPOSE. The spangram AIMHIGH ties them together by describing the attitude of reaching for those targets.