Play Strands #889
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 #889 hints
Today's official theme is "Isn't that a bit much?". 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 about spending or enjoying more than you strictly need, like pampering yourself with something nice.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 5 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a short, cheeky three-word phrase someone might say to justify splurging on themselves, written with no spaces and stretching across the whole board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: E, F, I, L, T.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 9 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #889 in numbers
- Theme words
- 5
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 9 letters
- Longest theme word
- 12 letters
Strands #889 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 9, 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 (5 letters)
TREAT. It starts in row 7, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
FRILLS. It starts in row 2, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
LUXURY. It starts in row 6, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (10 letters)
INDULGENCE. It starts in row 7, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (12 letters)
EXTRAVAGANCE. It starts in row 5, column 5, counting from the top left.
The spangram (9 letters)
IMWORTHIT. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: IMWORTHIT
Theme words: EXTRAVAGANCE, FRILLS, INDULGENCE, LUXURY, TREAT
The clue 'Isn't that a bit much?' is a skeptical question about overspending, and the answers EXTRAVAGANCE, FRILLS, INDULGENCE, LUXURY, and TREAT are all kinds of nonessential splurges. The spangram IMWORTHIT is the classic comeback a splurger would give, as in 'I'm worth it.'
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 8 | #888 | It has its ups and downs |
| 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 |
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 9
Strands #889 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 9, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #889 was IMWORTHIT, for the theme "Isn't that a bit much?".
What were the Strands theme words on August 9, 2026?
EXTRAVAGANCE, FRILLS, INDULGENCE, LUXURY, TREAT, plus the spangram IMWORTHIT.
What did the Strands #889 clue mean?
The clue 'Isn't that a bit much?' is a skeptical question about overspending, and the answers EXTRAVAGANCE, FRILLS, INDULGENCE, LUXURY, and TREAT are all kinds of nonessential splurges. The spangram IMWORTHIT is the classic comeback a splurger would give, as in 'I'm worth it.'