Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers for September 14 Puzzle #560

The New York Times Strands puzzle for September 14, 2025, is now live. Puzzle #560 comes with the theme “Hurry up!” but the answers point in the opposite direction. Players are asked to find hidden words on the grid that connect to the theme. The final solution reveals a clever twist that ties the whole puzzle together.

The puzzle can be tricky for many players. Some words are not easy to spot, and the theme clue may feel misleading at first. Still, once solved, the answers form a neat set around the idea of slowing down and taking time.

NYT Strands Hints for September 14

Today’s Strands puzzle hints circle around the theme “Hurry up!” The hidden words, however, suggest the opposite: being slow and steady. According to reports from CNET, the clue words used to unlock hints included simple options like HEAD, SHED, SLAY, and LOTS. Any four-letter word works in-game to reveal hints, but these examples helped players move forward.

The solved words for today are: SLOW, POKEY, STEADY, RELAXED, SLUGGISH, LEISURELY. Each connects with the theme by pointing to a pace that is not fast.

The spangram, the long word stretching across the puzzle, is NOTSOFAST. This phrase completes the theme perfectly. It begins from the far-left row and winds across the board.

Strands Puzzle Answers and Why They Matter

The Strands puzzle continues to grow in popularity alongside other New York Times games like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword. The daily challenge pushes players to think beyond simple word spotting. Themes often play with irony or wordplay, as seen with today’s “Hurry up!” theme.

Finding answers like RELAXED or SLUGGISH is not just about spotting letters. It forces players to connect with the concept. According to puzzle experts, this twist keeps the game fresh. It adds both frustration and fun for daily players.

The Strands format also ensures variety. While the number of theme words can change daily, each puzzle uses every letter in the grid by the end. This makes the spangram a crucial piece to finish the game.

Impact of NYT Strands Puzzle Popularity

Strands has quickly joined the ranks of daily brain teasers many readers start their day with. Its themes, hints, and spangrams set it apart from other word games. Unlike Wordle, which focuses on single-word guessing, Strands asks players to explore patterns and connect broader themes.

For fans, today’s puzzle reinforced the need to slow down and look carefully. It reminds players that speed is not always the solution. For the New York Times, games like Strands help draw in a younger and more diverse audience, ensuring fresh engagement daily.

Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers show once again how this puzzle blends language, wit, and theme. Puzzle #560 may have started with “Hurry up!” but it ended with a clever reminder: take your time.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is today’s NYT Strands theme?

Today’s theme is “Hurry up!” The answers, however, point to being slow and steady.

Q2: What are today’s Strands answers?

The answers are SLOW, POKEY, STEADY, RELAXED, SLUGGISH, and LEISURELY.

Q3: What is the Strands spangram today?

The spangram for September 14 is NOTSOFAST. It connects directly to the theme.

Q4: How do you unlock hints in Strands?

Find any three words with four or more letters. Each set reveals one theme word.

Q5: How many theme words are in Strands?

The number can change daily. All letters on the board are used once the puzzle is solved.