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NYT Strands puzzle #28, dated March 31, 2024, has the theme clue “It’s lit!” The spangram is ILLUMINATION; the six theme words are STAR, BULB, NEON, LANTERN, FIREFLY and ANGLERFISH. Spoilers are separated below so you can reveal only as much as you need.
Start with the theme clue
“It’s lit!” is a pun pointing toward light. First look for familiar things associated with light; the puzzle’s spangram then names the broad idea behind the set. Forbes also offered the hint “Like the studio behind Despicable Me and The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which points to ILLUMINATION. That studio reference is a clue, not evidence of a relationship between the studio and Strands.
How Strands works
Answer guides describe Strands as a word-search-style puzzle played on a letter grid. Find theme words by tracing connected letters; paths can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally. A spangram summarizes the theme and connects opposite sides of the board. These mechanics are descriptions in the cited guides, not a claim about current official rules.
Try Hard Guides says that finding three valid non-theme words of four or more letters earns a hint, which reveals a theme word. That can help if you are stuck, though the clue and recognizable light sources offer a useful starting point for this puzzle.
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Gentle hint
Think of things that glow, give off light, or are associated with illumination. The answers include both familiar light sources and a living creature that produces light.
Spangram
ILLUMINATION
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.All six theme words
- STAR
- BULB
- NEON
- LANTERN
- FIREFLY
- ANGLERFISH
The answer set, date, clue and spangram are consistent across the guides from Try Hard Guides, Forbes and Fortnite Insider.
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