The May 20, 2025, New York Times Strands puzzle is #443, not #442. Start with a spoiler-light clue, then reveal the full answers and spangram below when you’re ready.
Hints for the May 20 Strands puzzle
Theme clue
“Oh, of course!”
More direct hint
The answers make up a fine-dining meal sequence, from the first course to dessert.
How Strands works
Strands uses a 6-by-8 letter grid. Connect adjacent letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to form words; paths can bend. The spangram captures the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Try finding three non-theme words to earn an in-game hint, as described in the gameplay guide; the live game instructions are the best reference for current interface details.
May 20, 2025 Strands answers
Spoilers below.
Theme answers
- APPETIZERS
- CHEESE
- DESSERT
- ENTREE
- SALAD
- SOUP
Spangram
FINEDINING
Why the puzzle number is #443
The title query calls this solution #442, but answer guides identify May 20 as game #443. TechRadar labels May 19 as #442 and May 20 as #443; Try Hard Guides also labels its May 20 guide #443. The answers and spangram above are corroborated by Forbes, TechRadar, and Try Hard Guides; these are secondary answer guides, not an original NYT archive capture.
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