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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe December 24, 2024, NYT Strands puzzle was #296, not #295 as the supplied title says. Its theme clue was “Who on earth …?” The spangram was NATURENAMES, and the six other answers were BROOK, CLEMENTINE, HOLLY, LAUREL, RIVER, and WILLOW. Parade and Try Hard Guides both identify this as puzzle #296.
December 24, 2024 NYT Strands answers
Theme clue: “Who on earth …?”
Spangram: NATURENAMES
Theme words: BROOK, CLEMENTINE, HOLLY, LAUREL, RIVER, WILLOW
That is six regular theme words plus the spangram. The two answer guides describe the set as nature-related names; Parade explains the clue as referring to baby names connected with nature and the outdoors. Parade’s answer guide and Try Hard Guides’ guide independently report the same date, clue, and answers.
Why the puzzle number is #296, not #295
The date-specific guides label the Tuesday, December 24 puzzle #296. The supplied title’s #295 appears to be a mismatch: Parade identifies the December 23 puzzle as #295, followed by #296 on December 24. This solution is therefore for December 24, 2024, puzzle #296.
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What the spangram means
A spangram is the word or phrase that describes a Strands puzzle’s theme and reaches two opposite sides of the board. Parade reproduces the New York Times’ instructions: “The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.” The same instructions say that finding three non-theme words earns a hint; Parade reports that regular theme words highlight blue and the spangram yellow. Parade’s reproduced gameplay rules provide this explanation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the answers fit the clue
NATURENAMES points to names drawn from the natural world. BROOK and RIVER refer to water; HOLLY, LAUREL, and WILLOW are plant names; CLEMENTINE is associated with a fruit. Together, the six words explain the plural “names” in the spangram and the clue’s “Who on earth …?” wording.
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