Spoiler warning: Hints and the complete solution for NYT Strands #342, dated Saturday, February 8, 2025, are below. The theme is “Westminster assembly,” and the spangram is DOG GROUP.
Hints for Strands #342
- Theme clue: “Westminster assembly.”
- Think of: Categories used to group dogs.
- Spangram hint: “Well bred.”
- First-letter hints: The theme answers begin TO, SP, HE, WO, TE, and HO. The spangram begins DO.
- Words that can earn in-game hints: NUDE, GOING, SPOON, RIDER, KING, and DROWN.
Spangram answer
The spangram is DOG GROUP (sometimes written without a space as DOGGROUP). It describes the theme and connects opposite sides of the board. The gameplay instructions reproduced by Parade say a spangram may consist of two words.
For this puzzle, TechRadar places it from the left side at row four to the right side at row five; Parade describes it as running horizontally from right to left.
All theme answers
- WORKING
- HOUNDS
- HERDING
- TOYS
- TERRIERS
- SPORTING
The “Westminster assembly” clue refers to dog categories and breed groupings, rather than the British legislature. Parade explains that these categories relate to characteristics and original purpose.
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How Strands hints work
According to gameplay instructions reproduced by Parade and attributed to The New York Times, finding three non-theme words earns an in-game hint, which reveals letters from a theme answer. The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and puzzle date
TechRadar, Parade, and Try Hard Guides identify this as Strands game #342 for Saturday, February 8, 2025. TechRadar’s guide is dated February 7, 2025, ahead of the puzzle date. The solution details are corroborated by these secondary guides; the New York Times archive entry for this exact game has not been independently verified here.
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