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
More Strands
See the live Strands hints and answers page for the current puzzle, or browse every archived Strands date by month.
Try the other two puzzles
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The live NYT Connections hints and answers page
Sixteen tiles, four groups, and a graded hint ladder from nudge to full answer.
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The live NYT Pips hints and answers page
Easy, medium and hard boards with domino inventories and full walkthroughs.