NYT Strands Hints and Answers for November 8, 2026 (#980)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of November 8, 2026: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of November 8, 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 November 8, 2026, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
Disciplined combat
Today’s theme is “Disciplined combat”. 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
The theme words begin with J, K, K, N, T. Two of them start with the same letter (K).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10. The shortest is 4 letters, the longest 10.
SpangramThe spangram
MARTIALARTS
11 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with M, ends with S.
AnswersAll theme words
- JUDO4 letters
- KARATE6 letters
- NINJUTSU8 letters
- TAEKWONDO9 letters
- KICKBOXING10 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.