NYT Strands Hints and Answers for May 16, 2026 (#804)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of May 16, 2026: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of May 16, 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 May 16, 2026, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
Bon appétit!
Today’s theme is “Bon appétit!”. 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. The spangram runs across the grid, left edge to right, so look for a long sideways path first.
Hint 2First letters
Sorted alphabetically, the first letters are C, E, M, M, M. Two of them start with the same letter (M).
Hint 3Word lengths
The theme words are 6, 6, 7, 8 and 9 letters long. The shortest is 6 letters, the longest 9.
SpangramThe spangram
FRENCHBAKERY
It is a single word of 12 letters and it touches two opposite sides of the board.
Starts with F, ends with Y.
AnswersAll theme words
- ECLAIR6 letters
- MOUSSE6 letters
- MACARON7 letters
- MERINGUE8 letters
- CROISSANT9 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.