Play Strands #895
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 #895 hints
Today's official theme is "Sacred space". 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
Think about the furniture, books, and objects you would spot if you walked into a place where people gather on Sunday to worship.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 7 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
This two-word phrase describes where you are when you attend a religious service, and it stretches across the board connecting other words.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: A, B, C, H, L, P, P.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 8 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #895 in numbers
- Theme words
- 7
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 8 letters
- Longest theme word
- 7 letters
Strands #895 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 15, 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)
PEWS. It starts in row 3, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
ALTAR. It starts in row 2, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
BIBLE. It starts in row 1, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
HYMNAL. It starts in row 7, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
PULPIT. It starts in row 1, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (7 letters)
CANDLES. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 7 (7 letters)
LECTERN. It starts in row 6, column 3, counting from the top left.
The spangram (8 letters)
INCHURCH. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: INCHURCH
Theme words: ALTAR, BIBLE, CANDLES, HYMNAL, LECTERN, PEWS, PULPIT
The clue 'Sacred space' points to a house of worship, and the spangram INCHURCH names where you would find everything else. The theme words ALTAR, BIBLE, CANDLES, HYMNAL, LECTERN, PEWS, and PULPIT are all items or fixtures you would see inside a church.
What does LECTERN mean?
A tall stand with a slanted top that holds a book or notes for someone reading aloud or giving a talk. In a church, readers use it for scripture passages, and it is often confused with the pulpit.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 14 | #894 | Discovered by accident |
| Aug 13 | #893 | Coming in hot |
| 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 |
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 15
Strands #895 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 15, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #895 was INCHURCH, for the theme "Sacred space".
What were the Strands theme words on August 15, 2026?
ALTAR, BIBLE, CANDLES, HYMNAL, LECTERN, PEWS, PULPIT, plus the spangram INCHURCH.
What did the Strands #895 clue mean?
The clue 'Sacred space' points to a house of worship, and the spangram INCHURCH names where you would find everything else. The theme words ALTAR, BIBLE, CANDLES, HYMNAL, LECTERN, PEWS, and PULPIT are all items or fixtures you would see inside a church.