If you’re a fan of the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re in good company. This engaging word game from the New York Times merges the excitement of a word search with inventive, theme-driven elements.
19 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Shaking things up”
Today’s theme prominently featured movement and instability, incorporating terms that describe actions like rocking, trembling, or exhibiting unsteady motion. The puzzle radiated energy, showcasing numerous closely related verbs, making careful scanning essential until everything finally fell into place.
19 January 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Consider actions associated with motion, vibration, or instability.
- Many responses refer to subtle or continuous movement rather than abrupt actions.
- Search for verbs commonly used to describe physical shaking or unsteadiness.
- Some terms may have overlapping meanings, so focus on specific letter pathways.
- The spangram interlinks all forms of shaking under one dynamic concept.
19 January 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- Sway (gentle back-and-forth movement)
- Tremble (small, rapid shaking)
- Quake (stronger, sudden shaking)
- Waver (unsteady movement or balance)
- Vibrate (rapid oscillation)
- Wobble (irregular side-to-side motion)
- Teeter (nearly losing balance)
Spangram
LETS ROCK
The spangram encapsulates the puzzle’s essence, uniting all the words around the theme of movement, energy, and the act of shaking things loose—both literally and figuratively, creating a sense of dynamism across the board.
How Strands Works
Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a unique twist:
- A theme is presented.
- The grid is filled with hidden words related to that theme.
- Words can be oriented in any direction, including diagonally.
- Your objective is to discover all the theme words to complete the puzzle!
Typically, each puzzle features around 6 to 8 theme-related words.
How to Obtain and Use Hints
Hints are integrated into Strands, providing assistance if you get stuck:
- To earn a hint, locate any non-theme word with at least four letters within the grid.
- Each valid extra word earns you one hint.
- When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be disclosed, allowing you to progress.
Pro tip: Don’t waste your hints—use them strategically when the grid becomes challenging. Sometimes, revealing a single word can unlock the entire puzzle.
Tips to Excel at NYT Strands
- Start with obvious words. Identify clear connections to the theme first.
- Scan diagonals early. Strands often hides words at angles.
- Build on found words. Once you’ve discovered a word, the adjacent letters often hint at your next find.
- Use hints judiciously. Accumulate them by spotting extra words and save them for when you’re truly stuck.
- Consider synonyms. The theme clue may not be literal—expand your thinking.
Final Thoughts
The January 19, 2026 puzzle fell within a moderate difficulty level, featuring several words with similar nuances that challenged attention to detail. The theme was cohesive and enjoyable, and the discovery of the spangram was particularly satisfying. How many words did you uncover before taking a peek?
