Strands, a captivating daily word puzzle game brought to you by the New York Times—the same team that acquired Wordle in 2022—challenges players to decipher a single clue and uncover not just the overarching theme but also all eight themed words. Your mission is to then locate these words within the provided letter grid.

If you're familiar with how to play Strands but find yourself stuck on today's puzzle, this guide is here to assist. We provide general hints, reveal spoilers for a couple of the words, and offer the complete answer for those who need it.

The NYT Games Strands Puzzle #318 January 15, 2025

Today's Strands puzzle features nine elements to discover: the Spangram and eight themed words. The clue for this puzzle is "Thar She Blows!"

New York Times Games Strands Clues

Looking for some spoiler-free assistance with this innovative puzzle game? Below, you'll find sections each containing a single clue to nudge you closer to today's theme. Click the "Read More" button under each header to reveal them.

General Hint 1

Hint 1: Ocean dwellers.

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Hint 2: Explosive animals.

read more### General Hint 3

Hint 3: Big swimming animals.

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Spoilers for Two of the Words in Today's Strands

Each section below contains a single spoiler, along with a screenshot showing where that word fits within the puzzle's letter grid.

Spoiler 1

Word 1: Right

read more### Spoiler 2

Word 2: Humpback

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The Answer to Today's New York Times Games Strands

Need the full solution for today's relaxing puzzle game? Below, you can find all the themed words, the Spangram, and a screenshot showing their placement in the grid. Be cautious: opening this section will reveal the entire puzzle.

The theme for today is Whales. The words are Beluga, Humpback, Baleen, Gray, Right, Blue, and Sperm.

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Today's Strands Explained

Below is an explanation to help you understand today's puzzle. If the theme or clues still puzzle you even after solving it, read on to see how they all connect.

"Thar She Blows" is a fitting clue for today's puzzle, as Whales are known for expelling water and air through their blowholes, creating a geyser-like effect. Each themed word represents a different type of whale.

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Ready to take on the challenge? Visit the New York Times Games Strands website, accessible on virtually any device with a web browser.