Today’s NYT Strands puzzle has a gritty theme — and if you’re stuck, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need, from gentle hints to the full answer list.
What Is NYT Strands?
Strands is the New York Times’ elevated take on the classic word search. Letters connect in any direction — up, down, diagonal — and words can even change direction, forming unusual shapes.
Every letter in the grid belongs to an answer, and each puzzle includes a spangram: a special word or phrase that captures the theme and spans the entire grid.
Today’s Theme Hint: True Grit
The theme clue for February 20 is “True grit.” Think of a rugged, jagged material commonly found in workshops and garages. The words all describe something rough to the touch.
Spangram Hint and Answer
- Orientation: Horizontal
- Spangram answer: SANDPAPER
NYT Strands Word List for February 20, 2026
Here are all the answers for today’s puzzle:
- Prickly
- Rough
- Coarse
- Scratchy
- Abrasive
- Harsh
- Sand Paper (spangram)
How the Theme Connects
Every word in today’s puzzle describes a texture or quality associated with sandpaper. Words like abrasive, coarse, and scratchy all point to that rough, gritty feel — making “SANDPAPER” the perfect spangram to tie it all together.