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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Today’s New York Times Strands puzzle is #353, dated February 19, 2025. Its theme clue is “Pick your own prefix,” and its spangram is BERRIES. Need the full solution? The eight theme words are ELDER, STRAW, HUCKLE, BLUE, RASP, SALMON, GOLDEN and BLACK.
Hints for Strands #353
Start with the clue: “Pick your own prefix.” Each theme answer is a word that can go before “berry” to form a familiar berry name.
- Theme nudge: Think of small fruits and the words that precede “berry.”
- Spangram: It names the category, and its path spans opposite sides of the board. It starts at the left edge on row 5 and ends at the right edge on row 4.
- Optional hint-finding words: LUCK, SALE, CLEAR, BLUR, SOLD and MALE. Finding non-theme words can earn an in-game hint.
All answers for February 19, 2025
Spangram: BERRIES
Theme words: ELDER, STRAW, HUCKLE, BLUE, RASP, SALMON, GOLDEN, BLACK
How the theme works
Pair each answer with “berry”: elderberry, strawberry, huckleberry, blueberry, raspberry, salmonberry, goldenberry and blackberry. The theme clue asks you to find the prefixes; BERRIES is the spangram that ties them together.
How Strands works
Strands is a word-search puzzle played by connecting neighboring letters in a grid. You can link letters in any direction, but you cannot reuse or cross letters within a word. Find three non-theme words to earn a hint that highlights a theme word. The spangram describes the theme and stretches from one side of the board to the opposite side.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Puzzle date and numbering
This solution is for puzzle #353, dated Wednesday, February 19, 2025. TechRadar and Try Hard Guides both published their answer articles on February 18, reflecting their editorial or time-zone timestamps; both identify the puzzle as February 19 and report the same clue and answers.
Rank #2
For the original game, visit the New York Times Strands.
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