Play Strands #899
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 #899 hints
Today's official theme is "For better or wurst". 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 things you might pile onto a classic ballpark or cookout favorite served in a bun, from tangy sauces to chopped or fermented extras.
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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
The spangram is a playful nickname for the main item that all these toppings go on, and it is plural and written as two words squished together.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: C, K, M, O, R, S.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 7 letters and runs from right to left.
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Strands #899 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 7 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #899 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 19, 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)
ONION. It starts in row 3, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
CHEESE. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
RELISH. It starts in row 3, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
KETCHUP. It starts in row 4, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
MUSTARD. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (10 letters)
SAUERKRAUT. It starts in row 8, column 3, counting from the top left.
The spangram (7 letters)
TOPDOGS. It starts in row 4, column 6, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: TOPDOGS
Theme words: CHEESE, KETCHUP, MUSTARD, ONION, RELISH, SAUERKRAUT
The clue 'For better or wurst' is a pun on 'for better or worse' that hints at sausages in buns, and the answers are the popular toppings people add to them: CHEESE, KETCHUP, MUSTARD, ONION, RELISH and SAUERKRAUT. The spangram TOPDOGS is a double meaning, since hot dogs get 'topped' with these items and 'top dogs' is also a phrase for the winners.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 18 | #898 | Fool me once ... |
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| Aug 14 | #894 | Discovered by accident |
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| Aug 12 | #892 | Making a difference |
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 19
Strands #899 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 19, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #899 was TOPDOGS, for the theme "For better or wurst".
What were the Strands theme words on August 19, 2026?
CHEESE, KETCHUP, MUSTARD, ONION, RELISH, SAUERKRAUT, plus the spangram TOPDOGS.
What did the Strands #899 clue mean?
The clue 'For better or wurst' is a pun on 'for better or worse' that hints at sausages in buns, and the answers are the popular toppings people add to them: CHEESE, KETCHUP, MUSTARD, ONION, RELISH and SAUERKRAUT. The spangram TOPDOGS is a double meaning, since hot dogs get 'topped' with these items and 'top dogs' is also a phrase for the winners.