Strands July 29, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1056)
Recap
This puzzle explored the concept of artificial human representations, with a range of answers that fit the theme, including a hidden phrase that described something constructed to deceive or impress.
The official theme clue
A made man
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 artificial representations of humans, exploring the concept of a created being.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Artificial human representations in various forms and contexts
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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. 6 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 10 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 5 letters
- Theme word 3
- 8 letters
- Theme word 4
- 9 letters
- Theme word 5
- 6 letters
- Theme word 6
- 6 letters
- Spangram
- 10 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Child's toy that resembles a small human
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
Fake person used for display or demonstration purposes
Theme word 3 (8 letters)
Small sculpture of a human figure, often decorative
Theme word 4 (9 letters)
Store display model used to showcase clothing
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
Object controlled by strings or hands to mimic human movement
Theme word 6 (6 letters)
Large sculpture of a person, often commemorating a historical figure
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- DO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- DU… (5 letters)
- Theme word 3
- FI… (8 letters)
- Theme word 4
- MA… (9 letters)
- Theme word 5
- PU… (6 letters)
- Theme word 6
- ST… (6 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
The hidden phrase describes something that is not genuine, but rather constructed to deceive or impress
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 · 4 letters
DOLL
A toy designed to resemble a human, often for children's play
Theme word 2 · 5 letters
DUMMY
An artificial person used for training or display
Theme word 3 · 8 letters
FIGURINE
A small sculpture of a human figure, often used for decoration
Theme word 4 · 9 letters
MANNEQUIN
A model used in stores to display clothing and accessories
Theme word 5 · 6 letters
PUPPET
An object controlled by strings or hands to mimic human movement
Theme word 6 · 6 letters
STATUE
A large sculpture of a person, often used to commemorate a historical figure
Spangram · 10 letters, side to side
FABRICATED
Something created or constructed, often to deceive or impress
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1056) · Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- Theme answers
- 6 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–9 letters
- Spangram
- 10 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 913 accepted for hints
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