TodayHint

Strands August 20, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1078)

Constructed by Tracy Bennett, edited by Tracy Bennett.

Recap

This puzzle required finding words that fit a theme of split superlatives, using the letters on the board to form phrases and nouns that matched the given clues.

The official theme clue

Split superlatives

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.

  1. What the theme was getting at

    A reading of the theme. No answers.

    The theme involves phrases or words that are split or divided, often in a way that creates two superlatives or extremes.

  2. The category, said plainly

    The same idea, unhedged.

    Split superlatives category

  3. Board facts: how many words, how long

    Counted off the grid.

    The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 8 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
    4 letters
    Theme word 3
    4 letters
    Theme word 4
    4 letters
    Theme word 5
    5 letters
    Theme word 6
    4 letters
    Theme word 7
    7 letters
    Theme word 8
    8 letters
    Spangram
    8 letters, side to side
    Jump to the letter board
  4. One clue per word, easiest first

    Crossword-style.

    Theme word 1 (4 letters)

    Feline friends or a common noun

    Theme word 2 (4 letters)

    Insects that make honey and are often social creatures

    Theme word 3 (4 letters)

    Superlative form of good, often used for comparison

    Theme word 4 (4 letters)

    Adverb used to intensify an adjective or another adverb

    Theme word 5 (5 letters)

    Body parts that connect the legs to the torso

    Theme word 6 (4 letters)

    Precious metal often used in jewelry and coins

    Theme word 7 (7 letters)

    Clothing worn for sleeping or lounging comfortably

    Theme word 8 (8 letters)

    A level of quality or a basis for comparison that is considered normal

  5. First two letters of every theme word

    Enough to start tracing.

    Theme word 1
    CA… (4 letters)
    Theme word 2
    BE… (4 letters)
    Theme word 3
    BE… (4 letters)
    Theme word 4
    VE… (4 letters)
    Theme word 5
    KN… (5 letters)
    Theme word 6
    GO… (4 letters)
    Theme word 7
    PA… (7 letters)
    Theme word 8
    ST… (8 letters)
  6. What the spangram meant

    The long one that tied the board together.

    Phrase that means you are the benchmark or reference point for something

    It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.

    Open the full answers

The starting letter board

The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.

SEATGV
BECSOE
YOURLR
KSAEDY
NMJTHE
EAAPDT
ENDARS
SATSBE

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 · 4 letters

    BEES

    Insects that fit the theme by being a plural noun that can be seen as a split or collective superlative

  • Theme word 2 · 4 letters

    BEST

    Superlative form that directly fits the split superlatives theme

  • Theme word 3 · 4 letters

    CATS

    Another plural noun that represents a common, relatable subject

  • Theme word 4 · 4 letters

    GOLD

    A valuable material that can be associated with superlatives like 'gold standard'

  • Theme word 5 · 5 letters

    KNEES

    Body part that can be associated with superlatives like 'on one's knees'

  • Theme word 6 · 7 letters

    PAJAMAS

    A type of clothing that can be associated with comfort, a superlative of relaxation

  • Theme word 7 · 8 letters

    STANDARD

    A term that directly relates to a benchmark or reference point

  • Theme word 8 · 4 letters

    VERY

    An adverb that intensifies, relating to superlatives in language

  • Spangram · 8 letters, side to side

    YOURETHE

    Spangram that forms a phrase meaning you are the benchmark or reference point

This puzzle by the numbers

Puzzle
(#1078) · Thursday, August 20, 2026
Theme answers
8 plus the spangram
Board
6 × 8 letters
Answer lengths
4–8 letters
Spangram
8 letters, side to side
Difficulty
medium for a weekday board
Valid non-theme words
1049 accepted for hints

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