Strands July 31, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1058)
Recap
The puzzle featured a set of personality traits and a zodiac symbol, requiring solvers to find connections between them, showcasing a range of confident and strong characters
The official theme clue
Summer sign
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 personality traits often associated with confidence and strong character, reflecting a summer sign's influence
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Personality traits
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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
- 8 letters
- Theme word 5
- 8 letters
- Theme word 6
- 5 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)
Confidently showing character
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
Tending to dominate others
Theme word 3 (8 letters)
Having a pleasing personality
Theme word 4 (8 letters)
Given to vivid expressions
Theme word 5 (8 letters)
Willing to give freely
Theme word 6 (5 letters)
Faithful to a cause or person
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- BO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- BO… (5 letters)
- Theme word 3
- CH… (8 letters)
- Theme word 4
- DR… (8 letters)
- Theme word 5
- GE… (8 letters)
- Theme word 6
- LO… (5 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
A majestic figure in the zodiac represents the theme, symbolizing strength and warmth
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
BOLD
Confident and fearless, a trait associated with summer
Theme word 2 · 5 letters
BOSSY
Dominating and controlling, a strong personality type
Theme word 3 · 8 letters
CHARMING
Pleasing and attractive, a desirable trait
Theme word 4 · 8 letters
DRAMATIC
Given to vivid expressions and strong emotions
Theme word 5 · 8 letters
GENEROUS
Willing to give freely, showing kindness and warmth
Theme word 6 · 5 letters
LOYAL
Faithful and dedicated, a valued trait in relationships
Spangram · 10 letters, side to side
LEOTHELION
A zodiac sign symbolizing courage and strength, fitting the theme
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1058) · Friday, July 31, 2026
- Theme answers
- 6 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–8 letters
- Spangram
- 10 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 1080 accepted for hints
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