Stuck on today’s NYT Strands puzzle? You’re not alone. The November 28, 2025 edition (Puzzle #635) challenges players with a whimsical theme centered around wishing rituals and lucky symbols. Whether you need a gentle nudge or the full solution, this guide has everything to keep your solving streak alive.
Table of Contents
Today’s Theme: “If all else fails…”
The cryptic clue points toward hopeful traditions—those little superstitious acts we do when we need some luck. Think about what you do when blowing out birthday candles, spotting certain insects, or finding something unexpected on your cheek.
NYT Puzzle Overview
| Puzzle Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Puzzle Number | #635 |
| Date | Friday, November 28, 2025 |
| Theme Clue | “If all else fails…” |
| Spangram Length | 9 letters |
| Theme Words | 6 words total |
| Difficulty | Medium |
Hints Without Spoilers
Need help but want to solve it yourself? Here are progressive hints:
Hint #1 – Theme Context: Think about tiny rituals people perform to make wishes come true—from blowing on fluffy seeds to tossing coins into water.
Hint #2 – Spangram Clue: The spangram is what you say when blowing out birthday candles. It starts with “M” and ends with “H.”
Hint #3 – Word Categories: Look for nature elements (plants, insects, celestial objects) and objects associated with wish-making traditions.
Hint #4 – Starting Letters: Theme words begin with: D, S, C, F, L, E
Unlocking In-Game Hints
Struggling to find theme words? You can unlock hints by discovering non-theme words that are at least four letters long. Here are some helper words to get you started:
- WAKE
- DEAL
- SALE
- SHOW
- CAKE
- LEAD
Finding three of these non-theme words earns you one hint that highlights letters for a theme word.
Want to improve your word puzzle skills? Check out our complete NYT Games strategy guide on Technosports for expert tips on Wordle, Connections, and Strands.
The Spangram Solution
SPOILER WARNING: Scroll carefully if you want to preserve the surprise!
Today’s spangram is MAKEAWISH. It snakes across the board starting with the “M” in the third row on the right side and winds its way to the “H” in the sixth row. The nine-letter phrase perfectly encapsulates the puzzle’s theme of wishing rituals.
Complete Theme Words
| Word | Meaning | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| DANDELION | Blow the seeds while making a wish | 9 letters |
| STAR | Wish upon a star in the night sky | 4 letters |
| COIN | Toss into fountains or wells for luck | 4 letters |
| FOUNTAIN | Traditional wishing spot with coins | 8 letters |
| LADYBUG | Lucky when one lands on you | 7 letters |
| EYELASH | Make a wish when found on your cheek | 7 letters |
Strategy Tips for Future Puzzles
Start with shorter words: Four-letter words like STAR and COIN are usually easier to spot and help illuminate the theme quickly.
Scan diagonally: Strands loves hiding words at angles. Don’t just search horizontally and vertically.
Look for distinctive letter combinations: Clusters like “DAN,” “LADY,” or “FOUNT” can anchor longer words.
Work from the edges: The spangram typically spans from one side to another, so edge letters often provide starting points.
Think thematically: Once you identify one or two theme words, brainstorm related concepts to guide your search.
For official rules and daily puzzles, visit the New York Times Games website to play today’s puzzle and access the archive.
Explore more daily puzzle solutions and gaming content at Technosports for Wordle answers, Connections help, and comprehensive gaming guides.
Why This Puzzle Works
Today’s Strands puzzle cleverly blends everyday superstitions with natural imagery. The theme resonates universally—almost everyone has participated in at least one wishing ritual, whether blowing dandelion seeds as a child or tossing pennies into fountains.
The word selection balances accessibility (short words like STAR and COIN) with challenge (longer words like DANDELION and FOUNTAIN), creating a satisfying difficulty curve. The spangram MAKEAWISH serves as the perfect thematic anchor that instantly clarifies the puzzle’s direction once discovered.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Reference
Looking for yesterday’s solution? Thursday, November 27’s puzzle featured the theme “THANKFUL” in celebration of Thanksgiving, with words centered around gratitude and holiday traditions.
Playing Strategy Recap
- Read the theme carefully – “If all else fails…” hints at backup plans and hopeful actions
- Identify the spangram first if possible – it divides the board and reveals the core concept
- Start with obvious connections – birthday candles immediately suggest “make a wish”
- Use the hint system wisely – earn tokens through four-letter words, but try solving independently first
- Think broadly – wishing traditions span cultures and contexts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I can’t find any theme words to start?
A: Focus on earning in-game hints by finding any four-letter words in the grid, even if they’re not theme-related. Words like WAKE, DEAL, SHOW, CAKE, and SALE appear in today’s puzzle and count toward unlocking hints. After finding three non-theme words, you’ll earn a hint that highlights letters for one theme word, giving you a foothold to identify the pattern and continue solving independently.
Q: How do I know which direction the spangram runs?
A: The spangram always touches two opposite edges of the board and uses leftover letters not included in theme words. For November 28’s puzzle, MAKEAWISH starts with “M” three letters down on the far right edge and snakes horizontally backward toward the left, ending with “H” in the sixth row. Look for nine-letter paths that span the board—once you identify the starting letter, trace potential paths to opposite edges while keeping the theme clue in mind.
.
