Strands July 10, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1037)
Recap
This puzzle explored phrases and words that reflect personal thoughts and opinions, leading solvers through a grid of interconnected words and a spangram that symbolized collective capability.
The official theme clue
"I think ..."
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.
Phrases expressing personal thoughts or opinions in a casual tone.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category for phrases expressing personal thoughts or opinions.
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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 11 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 4 letters
- Theme word 3
- 7 letters
- Theme word 4
- 5 letters
- Theme word 5
- 5 letters
- Theme word 6
- 5 letters
- Theme word 7
- 7 letters
- Spangram
- 11 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Strong affection or deep attachment.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
Favorable or positive in nature or effect.
Theme word 3 (7 letters)
Accept something as true or have confidence in it.
Theme word 4 (5 letters)
Perception or awareness of something.
Theme word 5 (5 letters)
Urgency or speed in action or decision-making.
Theme word 6 (5 letters)
Feeling or showing joy and amusement.
Theme word 7 (7 letters)
The study of past events, particularly in human affairs.
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- LO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- GO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 3
- BE… (7 letters)
- Theme word 4
- SE… (5 letters)
- Theme word 5
- HA… (5 letters)
- Theme word 6
- ME… (5 letters)
- Theme word 7
- HI… (7 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Phrase suggesting collective capability and optimism about achieving something.
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 · 7 letters
BELIEVE
To accept something as true, fitting the theme of personal thoughts.
Theme word 2 · 4 letters
GOOD
Describing something positive, aligning with casual opinions.
Theme word 3 · 5 letters
HASTE
Expressing urgency, a common thought in daily life.
Theme word 4 · 7 letters
HISTORY
Reflecting on past events, a subject of thought and discussion.
Theme word 5 · 4 letters
LOVE
A strong affection, often expressed in personal thoughts.
Theme word 6 · 5 letters
MERRY
Describing a joyful state, a common sentiment.
Theme word 7 · 5 letters
SENSE
Perception or awareness, a fundamental aspect of thought.
Spangram · 11 letters, side to side
WECANMAKEIT
A phrase symbolizing collective determination and optimism.
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1037) · Friday, July 10, 2026
- Theme answers
- 7 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–7 letters
- Spangram
- 11 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 1143 accepted for hints
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