DailyWordHints
Monday, May 18, 2026#981

NYT Strands Hints & Answers — Monday, May 18

DailyWordHints Editorial

Today’s theme

The daily rind

Spangram
CITRUS
Theme words
  • CLEMENTINE
  • KUMQUAT
  • LIME
  • ORANGE
  • POMELO
  • TANGERINE

NYT Strands #981 (Monday, May 18) theme is “The daily rind”. Spangram: CITRUS. Theme words: CLEMENTINE, KUMQUAT, LIME, ORANGE, POMELO, TANGERINE.

Today’s theme

The daily rind

Hints

    Today’s Strands answers

    Spangram
    CITRUS
    Theme words
    • CLEMENTINE
    • KUMQUAT
    • LIME
    • ORANGE
    • POMELO
    • TANGERINE

    See all past Strands puzzles →

    Today's Strands hints (no spoilers)

    Here are spoiler-free clues for NYT Strands #981, Monday, May 18. The official theme is "The daily rind" — 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 18 (#981)?
    Today's Strands spangram is CITRUS.
    What is the Strands theme today (#981)?
    The theme clue is "The daily rind", and the theme words are CLEMENTINE, KUMQUAT, LIME, ORANGE, POMELO, TANGERINE.
    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.