Strands August 15, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1073)
Recap
This puzzle explored the concept of a sacred space, focusing on elements commonly found within places of worship. Solvers encountered terms related to furniture, texts, and structures integral to religious services and ceremonies. The spangram encapsulated the idea of being within such a space.
The official theme clue
Sacred space
Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.
Strands hints, one rung at a time
Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.
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Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme revolves around a place of worship, focusing on its essential elements and features.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Religious setting
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Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 7 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 8 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 5 letters
- Theme word 3
- 5 letters
- Theme word 4
- 7 letters
- Theme word 5
- 6 letters
- Theme word 6
- 6 letters
- Theme word 7
- 7 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Furniture for congregants to sit during services
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
Sacred text used in many religious ceremonies and readings
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
Elevated structure for offerings or ceremonies in a place of worship
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
Objects used for lighting and often symbolic in religious rituals
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
Raised platform for speakers or clergy to address the congregation
Theme word 6 (6 letters)
Book containing songs and hymns used in worship services
Theme word 7 (7 letters)
Stand for reading or displaying texts during religious services
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- PE… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- BI… (5 letters)
- Theme word 3
- AL… (5 letters)
- Theme word 4
- CA… (7 letters)
- Theme word 5
- PU… (6 letters)
- Theme word 6
- HY… (6 letters)
- Theme word 7
- LE… (7 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
A term describing a location where religious activities and ceremonies take place
It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.
The starting letter board
The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.
Every Strands answer and the spangram
Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.
Theme word 1 · 5 letters
ALTAR
An elevated structure used for offerings or ceremonies in a place of worship, often central to religious rituals
Theme word 2 · 5 letters
BIBLE
The sacred text of Christianity, used in many religious ceremonies, readings, and worship services
Theme word 3 · 7 letters
CANDLES
Objects used for lighting, often with symbolic meanings in religious rituals and ceremonies
Theme word 4 · 6 letters
HYMNAL
A book containing songs, hymns, and sometimes musical scores used in worship services and religious gatherings
Theme word 5 · 7 letters
LECTERN
A stand or desk used for reading or displaying texts, often during religious services and ceremonies
Theme word 6 · 4 letters
PEWS
Furniture provided for congregants to sit during religious services, often arranged in rows
Theme word 7 · 6 letters
PULPIT
A raised platform or structure from which speakers, clergy, or ministers address the congregation during services
Spangram · 8 letters, side to side
INCHURCH
A term that describes something located or situated within a church or place of worship
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1073) · Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Theme answers
- 7 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–7 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 999 accepted for hints
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