New York Times Strands puzzle #379, dated March 17, 2025, has the theme clue “Sound switching.” Start with the progressive hints below if you want to solve it yourself; the spangram and all six theme answers appear after a clear spoiler warning.
Theme clue and progressive hints
The theme is “Sound switching.” Think of humorous phrases made by switching the initial sounds of two words.
Letter hints
The theme entries begin with BL, CR, BE, WE, ST, and CH. The spangram begins with SP.
Hint words and spangram placement
TechRadar lists these six four-letter words as in-game hint triggers: DINE, TRICK, STICK, HELP, BEEN, and GRIN. They are not theme answers. The spangram runs horizontally from left to right, touching opposite sides of the board; TechRadar places its endpoints at the left edge on row five and the right edge on row six. TechRadar’s March 16 guide and Parade’s March 17 guide provide these hints.
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How Strands hints work
Strands asks you to find theme words that fill the board without overlapping; found theme words remain highlighted blue. Drag or tap letters to form words. The spangram describes the theme, touches two opposite sides, and turns yellow when found. Finding three words that are not theme answers earns a hint: it reveals the letters of a theme word, or, if a hint is already active, shows that word’s letter order. These mechanics are reproduced in Parade’s guide.
Spoiler warning: full Strands #379 solution
The complete answer set is below.
- Spangram: SPOONERISMS
- Theme answers: BLUSHING, CROW, BEDDING, WELLS, STRICKEN, CHIPS
Why these answers fit “Sound switching”
A spoonerism swaps the initial sounds of two words, often creating a comic phrase. The entries pair up to evoke familiar expressions: BLUSHING CROWS suggests “crushing blows,” BEDDING WELLS suggests “wedding bells,” and STRICKEN CHIPS suggests “chicken strips.” SPOONERISMS names the wordplay behind the set.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and answer check
The six theme answers and spangram agree across TechRadar, Parade, and Forbes. The Economic Times guide confirms the date and theme but gives a conflicting list under its complete-answers heading, so that list is not used here.
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