In search of the most recent Directions answers? Click here for our daily Strands tipsas well as our daily mini crossword, Wordle and Connections answers and hints for The New York Times.
Today's Directions puzzle offers a bunch of fun synonyms for a particular feeling or reaction. A few of them are long, which is nice, because they use up a lot of letters in the puzzle grid. If you need tips and answers, read on.
I also go in depth about rules for Strands in this story.
If you are looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit them CNET's NYT puzzle tips page.
Read more: NYT Connections Turn 1: These are the 5 hardest puzzles ever
Hint for today's Strands puzzle
Today's Strands topic is: Wait what?
If that doesn't help, here's a clue: OMG
Word clue to unlock hints in the game
Your goal is to find hidden words that match the theme of the puzzle. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Each time you find three words of four or more letters, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those tips, but any four or more letter words you can find will work:
- TONY, REAL, AWARD, NUTS, GOBBS, SKILL, NUTS, BALDS, YALES, SMACK, SMAX, BUS, PRIZE
Answers for today's Strands puzzle
These are the answers that relate to the topic. The object of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you get them all (I originally thought there were always eight, but I found out the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the non-spangram responses:
- ANNOUNCEMENT, EDUCATION, GOBSMACK, SURPRISE, FLABERGAST
Today's Strands spangram
Today's Strands spangram is NEEDED. To find it, start with M which is four letters to the right of the top row and down.
The completed NYT Strands puzzle for January 12, 2025.