NYT Strands Hints Today (February 20, 2026)

Daily Puzzle Solution

True grit

NYT Strands Hint Today

Missed yesterday’s game? See Strands answers for February 19.

Welcome back! Whether you need just one hint or the full answer key, our guide covers everything for today’s game. If you enjoy word puzzles, Word Finder Tips is your ultimate destination for daily strategies. The theme today is “True grit”. Below you will find a spoiler-free hint analysis followed by the complete solution.

Game Analysis: True grit

Before revealing the answers, let’s analyze the structure of today’s puzzle to help you solve it without spoilers.

Puzzle Attribute Data
Theme True grit
Total Words 7 Items
Spangram Length 9 Letters
Average Word Length 6.9 Letters
Difficulty Rating Medium

General Hints

  • Focus on words related to the True grit concept.
  • The Spangram spans from one side of the board to the other.
  • Check the corners first; they often contain the start or end of theme words.

Today’s Spangram

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
The Spangram
sandpaper

Full Answer Key

Here is the complete list of theme words found in the grid:

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
Theme Word
harsh

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
Theme Word
rough

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
Theme Word
coarse

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
Theme Word
prickly

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
Theme Word
abrasive

S
A
H
Y
S
C
P
N
D
C
A
R
R
C
P
A
T
R
I
K
L
P
E
A
G
H
Y
I
S
B
U
O
R
V
A
R
E
A
O
E
H
H
S
R
C
A
R
S
Theme Word
scratchy

Detailed Word Breakdown

To help you understand today’s vocabulary better, here is a breakdown of the words found in the “True grit” theme:

  • sandpaper: This is the Spangram. It contains 9 letters and starts with ‘s’. It connects the theme directly to the puzzle structure.
  • harsh: A 5-letter word starting with ‘h’ and ending with ‘h’. It fits the category of “True grit”.
  • rough: A 5-letter word starting with ‘r’ and ending with ‘h’. It fits the category of “True grit”.
  • coarse: A 6-letter word starting with ‘c’ and ending with ‘e’. It fits the category of “True grit”.
  • prickly: A 7-letter word starting with ‘p’ and ending with ‘y’. It fits the category of “True grit”.
  • abrasive: A 8-letter word starting with ‘a’ and ending with ‘e’. It fits the category of “True grit”.
  • scratchy: A 8-letter word starting with ‘s’ and ending with ‘y’. It fits the category of “True grit”.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play NYT Strands?
Find words related to the theme. Connect letters vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
What is a Spangram?
It is the special theme word that spans across the entire board, touching two opposite sides.
When does the new puzzle come out?
A new puzzle with a new theme is released daily at midnight EST.

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