NYT Strands Hints and Answers for February 22, 2025 (#356)

NYT Strands puzzle #356, for Saturday, February 22, 2025, is themed “Here we (don’t) go again.” Think of traffic that cannot move freely. The spangram runs horizontally from left to right; the full answer list is below the spoiler break.

Hints for Strands #356

• Theme hint: Look for words related to stalled or crowded traffic.
• Spangram direction: It runs horizontally, from left to right.
• First-letter hints: GR, BL, CO, OV. The spangram begins TR.

Spoilers: February 22, 2025 answers

The four theme words and the spangram are:

• GRIDLOCK
• BLOCKAGE
• CONGESTION
• OVERCROWDING
• Spangram: TRAFFICJAM

Why these words fit the theme

“Here we (don’t) go again” is a play on the frustration of stop-and-go traffic. GRIDLOCK, BLOCKAGE, CONGESTION, and OVERCROWDING describe conditions that keep traffic from flowing; TRAFFICJAM names the situation tying the theme together.

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How the answer list was cross-checked

Try Hard Guides lists these answers for Strands #356, and Parade supplies the theme wording, hint initials, and left-to-right spangram direction. WordsRated’s archive independently lists the same four theme words and TRAFFICJAM for February 22, 2025. Try Hard Guides, Parade, WordsRated.

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