The week comes to a close with a more difficult Strands puzzle. Or at least that was my experience; maybe you’ll find it far easier. If you do struggle, there are hints below.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.

Your Strands expert

Marc McLaren
Your Strands expert

Marc McLaren

NYT Strands today (game #131) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Auto suggestion

NYT Strands today (game #131) – hint #2 – clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • ECHO
  • HOAX
  • ORDER
  • SORE
  • ROPE
  • SLOT

NYT Strands today (game #131) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

What are you driving these days?

NYT Strands today (game #131) – hint #4 – spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?

First: left, 4th row

Last: right, 6th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #131) – the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 131 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #131, are…

  • SOUL
  • ACCORD
  • OUTBACK
  • CHARGER
  • EQUINOX
  • EXPLORER
  • SPANGRAM: CARMODELS

  • My rating: Hard
  • My score: 4 hints

For the first time in ages I needed lots of hints for today’s Strands. I do think it’s a hard one wherever you are, but I suspect it’ll be particularly tough if you’re not in the US. A model such as the Chevrolet EQUINOX or the Dodge CHARGER is not available over here, as far as I know – or certainly not in great numbers. Most of the others are, I think, but the connection simply didn’t occur to me until I’d used four hints. I’m not complaining; I have heard of each of these models and could have solved it with a little inspiration or more patience maybe, I’m merely justifying my poor score today!

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.


Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Thursday 11 July, game #130)

  • BUTTER
  • CHILI
  • BACON
  • CHIVES
  • CHEDDAR
  • BROCCOLI
  • SPANGRAM: BAKEDPOTATO

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.

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