Play Strands #888
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 #888 hints
Today's official theme is "It has its ups and downs". 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 describing parts, layouts, and moves you would find on a thrill ride at an amusement park that twists and plunges.
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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
Think of the whole ride that these words describe, a classic amusement park attraction where you climb, plunge, and scream in a train of cars.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: C, C, D, L, T, T.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 13 letters and runs from right to left.
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Strands #888 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 13 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #888 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 8, 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)
DROP. It starts in row 5, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
LOOP. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
TRACK. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
TUNNEL. It starts in row 1, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
CUTBACK. It starts in row 8, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (9 letters)
CORKSCREW. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
The spangram (13 letters)
ROLLERCOASTER. It starts in row 6, column 5, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: ROLLERCOASTER
Theme words: CORKSCREW, CUTBACK, DROP, LOOP, TRACK, TUNNEL
The clue 'It has its ups and downs' is a playful hint at a ROLLERCOASTER, which climbs and plunges along its course. The theme words, including CORKSCREW, CUTBACK, DROP, LOOP, TRACK, and TUNNEL, are all elements or features found on a roller coaster.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 7 | #887 | Struggling to find the words |
| Aug 6 | #886 | Blossoming forth |
| Aug 5 | #885 | All things considered |
| Aug 4 | #884 | Staying healthy |
| Aug 3 | #883 | There's nothing like it |
| Aug 2 | #882 | Eyes on the prize |
| Aug 1 | #881 | "As if!" |
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 8
Strands #888 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 8, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #888 was ROLLERCOASTER, for the theme "It has its ups and downs".
What were the Strands theme words on August 8, 2026?
CORKSCREW, CUTBACK, DROP, LOOP, TRACK, TUNNEL, plus the spangram ROLLERCOASTER.
What did the Strands #888 clue mean?
The clue 'It has its ups and downs' is a playful hint at a ROLLERCOASTER, which climbs and plunges along its course. The theme words, including CORKSCREW, CUTBACK, DROP, LOOP, TRACK, and TUNNEL, are all elements or features found on a roller coaster.