NYT Strands Hints and Answers for May 16, 2025 (#439)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of May 16, 2025: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of May 16, 2025? Start with the theme, take one rung at a time, and stop as soon as the grid opens up. Nothing below is revealed until you tap it.
Hints for May 16, 2025, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
To a degree
The puzzle calls today’s theme “To a degree”. Read it loosely: the 6 answers are examples of it, not synonyms for it.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with D, G, P, P, S, T. Two of them start with the same letter (P).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 4, 5, 6, 6, 7 and 10. The shortest is 4 letters, the longest 10.
SpangramThe spangram
GRADUATION
10 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with G, ends with N.
AnswersAll theme words
- GOWN4 letters
- PHOTO5 letters
- SPEECH6 letters
- TASSEL6 letters
- DIPLOMA7 letters
- PROCESSION10 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.