Play Strands #890
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 #890 hints
Today's official theme is "Back it up". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
-
What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for words for the kind of hard information and numbers you would cite to support an argument or claim.
Was this hint -
How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 5 theme words plus the spangram.
Was this hint -
A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
This two-part phrase describes evidence so solid that it settles a debate for good, and it spans the board from one side to the other.
Was this hint -
How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: D, F, F, S, S.
Was this hint -
How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 13 letters and runs from top to bottom.
Was this hint
Strands #890 in numbers
- Theme words
- 5
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 13 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #890 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 10, 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)
DATA. It starts in row 7, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
FACTS. It starts in row 1, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (7 letters)
FIGURES. It starts in row 4, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (9 letters)
SPECIFICS. It starts in row 7, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (10 letters)
STATISTICS. It starts in row 5, column 2, counting from the top left.
The spangram (13 letters)
PROOFPOSITIVE. It starts in row 1, column 3, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: PROOFPOSITIVE
Theme words: DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, SPECIFICS, STATISTICS
To 'back it up' means to support a claim with evidence, and DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, SPECIFICS, and STATISTICS are all the kinds of details you would use to do that. Together they add up to PROOFPOSITIVE, the conclusive evidence that leaves no room for doubt.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 9 | #889 | Isn't that a bit much? |
| 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 |
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 10
Strands #890 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 10, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #890 was PROOFPOSITIVE, for the theme "Back it up".
What were the Strands theme words on August 10, 2026?
DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, SPECIFICS, STATISTICS, plus the spangram PROOFPOSITIVE.
What did the Strands #890 clue mean?
To 'back it up' means to support a claim with evidence, and DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, SPECIFICS, and STATISTICS are all the kinds of details you would use to do that. Together they add up to PROOFPOSITIVE, the conclusive evidence that leaves no room for doubt.