Strands November 8, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1176)
Recap
This puzzle explored various forms of disciplined combat, including well-known martial arts and a broader term encompassing these practices. Solvers navigated through a grid of letters to uncover these terms, ultimately revealing a comprehensive category of organized fighting techniques and sports.
The official theme clue
Disciplined combat
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.
-
Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme revolves around various forms of controlled and structured fighting techniques.
-
Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category of organized and regulated combat sports and practices.
-
Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 5 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
- 6 letters
- Theme word 3
- 8 letters
- Theme word 4
- 10 letters
- Theme word 5
- 9 letters
- Spangram
- 11 letters, side to side
-
Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Japanese martial art emphasizing throws and grappling.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
Martial art developed in Okinawa, characterized by striking.
Theme word 3 (8 letters)
Traditional Japanese art of stealth and covert operations.
Theme word 4 (10 letters)
Hybrid martial art combining elements of boxing and kicking.
Theme word 5 (9 letters)
Korean martial art known for its high-energy kicking techniques.
-
Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- JU… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- KA… (6 letters)
- Theme word 3
- NI… (8 letters)
- Theme word 4
- KI… (10 letters)
- Theme word 5
- TA… (9 letters)
-
Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Term describing various Asian disciplines of self-defense and combat sports.
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
JUDO
JUDO is a grappling-based martial art focusing on throws and ground fighting.
Theme word 2 · 6 letters
KARATE
KARATE is a striking art that emphasizes punching, kicking, and blocking.
Theme word 3 · 10 letters
KICKBOXING
KICKBOXING combines elements of boxing with kicking techniques from martial arts.
Theme word 4 · 8 letters
NINJUTSU
NINJUTSU is a traditional Japanese art of stealth, espionage, and unconventional warfare.
Theme word 5 · 9 letters
TAEKWONDO
TAEKWONDO is a Korean martial art renowned for its high-energy kicking techniques and fast-paced combinations.
Spangram · 11 letters, side to side
MARTIALARTS
MARTIALARTS encompasses various Asian disciplines of self-defense, combat sports, and physical fitness.
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1176) · Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Theme answers
- 5 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–10 letters
- Spangram
- 11 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 835 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 another puzzle
-
The live NYT Connections hints and answers page
Sixteen tiles, four groups, and a graded hint ladder from nudge to full answer.
-
The live NYT Pips hints and answers page
Easy, medium and hard boards with domino inventories and full walkthroughs.