Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns.

Today's spangram answer on Friday, May 23, 2025, is BEANSALAD. Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Friday, May 23 first appeared on Parade on May 23, 2025

In the NYT Strands daily game, players are presented with a fresh theme each day and must find all the hidden words within a letter grid. A key feature of the game is the Spangram, a special word or phrase that stretches across two sides of the board and offers an important clue to help solve the puzzle.