NYT Strands today: Tips, Spangram and answers for Friday, August 16

Strands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. It's a trickier version of the classic word search puzzle. You'll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle.

Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a little tricky to solve on some days. There's no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If you're stuck and need to know the answers to today's Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below.

How to play Strands

You begin each Strands puzzle with the goal of finding the “theme words” hidden in the letter grid. Drag or tap letters to form words. Double tap the last letter to confirm. When you find the right word, the letters are highlighted in blue and can no longer be selected.

If you find a word that is not a topic word, it still helps! For every three words that are not part of the topic and are at least four letters long, you get a hint: the letters of one of the topic words are displayed and all you have to do is unscramble it.

Every single letter in the grid is used to spell the theme words, and there is no overlap. Each letter is used once and only once.

Each puzzle contains a “spangram,” a special theme word (or words) that describes the theme of the puzzle and touches two opposite sides of the board. When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted in yellow.

The goal should be to solve the puzzle quickly without using too many clues.

Note on today's Strands puzzle

Today’s topic is “Either or”

Here is a hint that might help you: Opposites

Today's Beach Answers

Today's Spanagram

We start with the Spangram, which can help you figure out the topic and solve the rest of the puzzle yourself:

Today's Strands Answers

• MAKE
• BREAK
• BATHROOM SINK
• TO SWIM
• FIRMLY
• FAMINE
• DOUBLE
• NOTHING