DailyWordHints
Friday, May 15, 2026#978

NYT Strands Hints & Answers — Friday, May 15

DailyWordHints Editorial

Today’s theme

Weaselly wascals

Spangram
MUSTELIDS
Theme words
  • BADGER
  • FERRET
  • MARTEN
  • OTTER
  • POLECAT
  • WOLVERINE

NYT Strands #978 (Friday, May 15) theme is “Weaselly wascals”. Spangram: MUSTELIDS. Theme words: BADGER, FERRET, MARTEN, OTTER, POLECAT, WOLVERINE.

Today’s theme

Weaselly wascals

Hints

    Today’s Strands answers

    Spangram
    MUSTELIDS
    Theme words
    • BADGER
    • FERRET
    • MARTEN
    • OTTER
    • POLECAT
    • WOLVERINE

    See all past Strands puzzles →

    Today's Strands hints (no spoilers)

    Here are spoiler-free clues for NYT Strands #978, Friday, May 15. The official theme is "Weaselly wascals" — work through the hints before revealing the spangram.

    How Strands hints work

    Each hint reveals a bit more about the theme and the spangram without naming any answer word. The full list of theme words stays below the fold.

    How to crack the spangram

    The spangram touches two opposite sides of the board and sums up the whole theme, so it's usually the longest answer. Find a couple of theme words first, ask what links them, then look for a long path that stretches edge to edge.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Strands spangram for May 15 (#978)?
    Today's Strands spangram is MUSTELIDS.
    What is the Strands theme today (#978)?
    The theme clue is "Weaselly wascals", and the theme words are BADGER, FERRET, MARTEN, OTTER, POLECAT, WOLVERINE.
    How many theme words are in a Strands puzzle?
    Each Strands board hides a set of theme words plus one spangram. Today's puzzle has 6 theme words to find alongside the spangram.