NYT Strands Answer Today (#569) – 23 Sep 2025 Solution & Hints

Stuck on today’s Strands? Below you’ll find today’s theme, spoiler-light Spangram clues (length, orientation, first/last letters), grid words that charge hints, first/last letters for all theme words (length-obscured), definitions, and the full solution.

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About Today’s Strands

Puzzle #569 (published September 23, 2025). One special word — the Spangram —
spans the grid and ties the theme together.

Today’s Theme

Theme: On the syllabus

General Hints

Think small spaces: gaps, recesses, compartments.
There’s one longer word that’s also a kind of sorting cubby.
The Spangram is a famous warning you’ll hear on public transport.

Spangram Length

The Spangram has 13 letters and is two words.

Spangram Orientation

The Spangram runs vertically across the grid. One might also say, diagonally..

Spangram First & Last Letters

Begins with C and ends with E.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): C___E

Note: We always display first/last letters as X___Y with three underscores, regardless of true length.

Hint Unlocker Words (from the grid)

COLL
HOME
CORE
MANED
MALL
LURE
MOLL
GRIT
GRIND
RADE
RUSE
MADE
COLLEGE
DEAL
LEAN
LEAD
DIET
LORE
GLADE
MANET
CARD
READ
MEAL
DEAN
COLLED
GRINDER
CURSE
COURSE

First & Last Letters of All Words

WORD 1: P___R
WORD 2: H___K
WORD 3: Q___Z
WORD 4: E___M
WORD 5: L___E
WORD 6: R___G

Spangram preview: C___E

Spangram

Click to reveal today’s Spangram

MIND THE GAP

Spangram Definition

Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram

MIND THE GAP — a safety announcement warning passengers to watch the space between a train and the platform edge.

Example: “Hearing ‘Mind the gap’ at the station instantly gave away today’s theme.”

Sample Words

Click to reveal two words from today’s solution

NICHE
NOOK

Full Solution

Click to reveal the complete answers

Theme: Find an opening

Spangram: MIND THE GAP

All words:

ALCOVE
CREVICE
CRANNY
NICHE
NOOK
PIGEONHOLE
MIND THE GAP (Spangram)

Definitions of All Words

Click to reveal definitions of today’s words

MIND THE GAP — a public-transport warning to be careful of the space between train and platform.
ALCOVE — a recessed section of a room or wall.
CREVICE — a narrow crack, especially in rock or a wall.
CRANNY — a small, narrow opening or corner.
NICHE — a shallow recess; also a suitable position or place.
NOOK — a small, secluded corner or recess.
PIGEONHOLE — a small compartment for sorting; also to categorize simplistically.