NYT Strands Hints and Answers for March 11, 2026 (#738)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of March 11, 2026: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of March 11, 2026? 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 March 11, 2026, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
Survival mode
Today’s theme is “Survival mode”. All 5 theme words fit that idea — and the spangram names it outright.
Hint 1A gentle clue
The 5 answers belong to one everyday scene. Picture the scene first, then look for its pieces on the board.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with A, A, C, D, M. Two of them start with the same letter (A).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 5, 7, 7, 10 and 11. The shortest is 5 letters, the longest 11.
SpangramThe spangram
DEFENSES
8 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with D, ends with S.
AnswersAll theme words
- ARMOR5 letters
- AGILITY7 letters
- MIMICRY7 letters
- CAMOUFLAGE10 letters
- DISTRACTION11 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.