Play Strands #893
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 #893 hints
Today's official theme is "Coming in hot". 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 adjectives describing strong, passionate, or burning emotion and energy, like how someone acts when they care a whole lot.
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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 a person who stirs up trouble for a cause, or a piece of wood from a blaze that is still glowing, and it spans the board from one side to the other.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: F, F, H, I, T, Z.
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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 #893 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 9 letters
- Longest theme word
- 7 letters
Strands #893 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 13, 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 (6 letters)
FIERCE. It starts in row 3, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
HEATED. It starts in row 1, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
TORRID. It starts in row 7, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
FERVENT. It starts in row 6, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
INTENSE. It starts in row 5, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (7 letters)
ZEALOUS. It starts in row 3, column 1, counting from the top left.
The spangram (9 letters)
FIREBRAND. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: FIREBRAND
Theme words: FERVENT, FIERCE, HEATED, INTENSE, TORRID, ZEALOUS
The clue 'Coming in hot' suggests arriving with high temperature and high energy, and every answer describes that kind of burning intensity, whether literal heat like TORRID and HEATED or passion like FERVENT, FIERCE, INTENSE, and ZEALOUS. FIREBRAND ties it together as both a piece of burning wood and a fiery, passionate agitator.
What does TORRID mean?
Extremely hot and dry, as in scorching weather, or figuratively full of intense passion, such as a torrid love affair. It fits the puzzle as a synonym for burning intensity.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 12 | #892 | Making a difference |
| Aug 11 | #891 | Fresh from the market |
| Aug 10 | #890 | Back it up |
| 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 |
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 13
Strands #893 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 13, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #893 was FIREBRAND, for the theme "Coming in hot".
What were the Strands theme words on August 13, 2026?
FERVENT, FIERCE, HEATED, INTENSE, TORRID, ZEALOUS, plus the spangram FIREBRAND.
What did the Strands #893 clue mean?
The clue 'Coming in hot' suggests arriving with high temperature and high energy, and every answer describes that kind of burning intensity, whether literal heat like TORRID and HEATED or passion like FERVENT, FIERCE, INTENSE, and ZEALOUS. FIREBRAND ties it together as both a piece of burning wood and a fiery, passionate agitator.