NYT Strands Hints and Answers for February 16, 2026 (Game #715)

For the February 16, 2026, NYT Strands puzzle, the clue is “The cutting edge,” and the theme is figure skating. Start with the hints below; the full answer list is behind a spoiler warning.

Today’s Strands hint

The theme clue is “The cutting edge.” A gentler hint: think of an Olympic sport.

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4		Large Print Merriam-Webster Puzzles 10 Booklet Set (Brain Games Large Print)	$9.96	Buy on Amazon
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Starting-letter hints

The seven theme words begin with JU, LI, LO, SP, CO, TH, and CR, in that order. The spangram begins with FI.

How Strands hints work

The board is a 6-by-8 grid. Connect adjacent letters in any direction to form theme words. Find three words that are not part of the theme to earn an in-game hint that reveals letters in a theme answer.

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Examples of non-theme words reported by guides include SPORE, JEST, WORST, BOATING, THING, and PINT (TechRadar), and ROVE, GOOP, COOP, COOPS, COPS, COPE, SPORE, CURE, and CURES (PC Guide). These are examples, not a definitive list; the guides report different words.

Answers for February 16, 2026 (game #715)

Spoiler warning: The complete solution is below.

Spangram

FIGURESKATING (13 letters)

Theme words

• JUMP
• LIFT
• LOOP
• SPIN
• COMBO
• THROW
• CROSSOVER

Make sure you have the right date

This answer set is for February 16, 2026, puzzle #715. The February 16, 2025 puzzle was different: its theme was “Flour power.”

Quick Recap

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Rank #2

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