NYT Strands puzzle #559, for Saturday, September 13, 2025, has the theme “Better than good.” For a spoiler-free nudge, think of the catchphrase associated with a cereal mascot. The full spangram and six theme words are listed below.
Hints for Strands #559
The theme points to a familiar word that can turn several answers into well-known names and expressions. If you want a more specific nudge, the puzzle’s spangram is 11 letters long and runs vertically, touching the top edge in column one and the bottom edge in column four, according to TechRadar’s guide.
Clue words to reveal a hint
TechRadar lists REGAL, STUNK, SPLAT, GRIM, PASTE, and MIND as words that can trigger Strands’ in-game hint system. Its guide describes the mechanic as unlocking a theme-word reveal after finding three valid non-theme words of at least four letters. Once a word is revealed, use its cleared letters as a starting point and work outward.
Full answers for September 13, 2025
Spangram: THEYREGREAT
Theme words: EXPECTATIONS, PLAINS, AUNTS, LAKES, MINDS, APES
The answers pair with “great”: Great Expectations, Great Plains, great aunts, Great Lakes, great minds, and great apes. Together, those phrases explain the theme, “Better than good,” and the spangram THEYREGREAT.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why these answers fit
Each theme word completes a familiar phrase or name when placed after “great.” The spangram states the connection directly: “They’re great.” All Things How and TechRadar’s date-specific guides agree on the puzzle number, theme, answer set, and spangram. All Things How describes the spangram as vertical; TechRadar specifies its edge positions.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
Sources
- All Things How: NYT Strands hints and answers (Sep 13, 2025)
- TechRadar: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, September 13 (game #559)
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