NYT Strands Hints and Answers for May 29, 2025 (#452)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of May 29, 2025: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of May 29, 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 29, 2025, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
It's a little buggy
Today’s theme is “It's a little buggy”. All 7 theme words fit that idea — and the spangram names it outright.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with B, D, F, H, M, M, W. Two of them start with the same letter (M).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 9 and 9. The shortest is 4 letters, the longest 9.
SpangramThe spangram
INSECT
6 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with I, ends with T.
AnswersAll theme words
- FLEA4 letters
- MOTH4 letters
- WASP4 letters
- HORNET6 letters
- MANTIS6 letters
- BUTTERFLY9 letters
- DRAGONFLY9 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.