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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →NYT Strands puzzle #722 is the Monday, February 23, 2026 game. Its theme is “Strike a chord,” and the six-letter spangram is GUITAR. If you want to solve it yourself, start with the progressive hints below; the complete word list follows the spoiler warning.
Hints for Strands #722 on February 23, 2026
Use these clues in order, stopping when you have enough to continue on the grid:
- Theme: “Strike a chord.”
- Words that can unlock in-game hints: TOAD, BRIDE, TANK, BONG, TRIED and RANK. Finding three non-theme words earns an in-game hint that reveals letters in a theme word.
- Spangram clue: It is one word, six letters long, and describes the theme.
How NYT Strands works
Strands uses a 6×8 letter grid. Connect adjacent letters in any direction to form theme words. The spangram describes the theme and runs between two opposite sides of the grid; it may be a phrase. Finding three non-theme words earns a hint that reveals letters in a theme word.
Spoiler: full answers for February 23 (#722)
The list below reveals the complete solution, including the spangram.
- BODY
- BRIDGE
- FRETBOARD
- HEADSTOCK
- NECK
- PEGS
- STRING
- Spangram: GUITAR
All seven theme words refer to parts of a guitar. The spangram is GUITAR.
Why the year matters
February 23, 2026 is puzzle #722. The same calendar date in 2025 was a different game: #357, themed “Oh, this old thing?” with COLLECTIBLES as its spangram. The year distinguishes the two answer sets.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How difficult was the puzzle?
PC Guide reported that NYT rated this puzzle “moderate,” while TechRadar’s author called it easy and reported a perfect score. These are differing publisher assessments, not objective difficulty measurements.
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