Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is game #711, dated Thursday, February 12, 2026. The theme is “Sink or swim.” Read the theme-only hint first, then open the progressive clues or spoiler-marked answers only if you need them.
Theme hint
The theme points to situations where the stakes are high and the outcome matters: think make-or-break moments rather than literal swimming.
Progressive hints
Use these clues in order if you want help without seeing the full solution right away.
- The five theme words describe high-pressure or decisive situations.
- The theme answers begin with P, R, C, D, and I.
- The spangram begins with H, has 10 letters, and runs vertically.
Non-theme words for in-game hints
If you want the game to reveal letters rather than read the answer list, finding three non-theme words earns an in-game hint. TechRadar lists these possible words: GRATE, SLACK, GIVE, TAKE, POSIT, CAST, and HIVE.
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Stop here if you still want to solve the board yourself.
- PIVOTAL
- RISKY
- CRITICAL
- DECISIVE
- IMPERATIVE
- Spangram: HIGHSTAKES
Spangram placement
HIGHSTAKES is the 10-letter spangram, connecting opposite sides of the board vertically. TechRadar places its endpoints at the top edge in column three and the bottom edge in column five.
Why the answer list may look different elsewhere
TechRadar and WePC agree on the five theme words and HIGHSTAKES. Parade confirms the “Sink or swim” theme and the spangram but publishes a different word list—COMPOSITE, STUCCO, VINYL, WOOD, BRICK, and STONE—that conflicts with the other two guides and does not match the reported theme. The answer list above follows the two agreeing guides.
How Strands hints work
The New York Times’ rules, as reproduced by Parade, say: “Find theme words to fill the board.” The spangram describes the theme and touches two opposite sides of the board; it may consist of two words. Finding each set of three non-theme words earns an in-game hint that reveals letters of a theme word.
Rank #3
Why some guides show February 11
Strands rolls over at midnight in each time zone, according to TechRadar. That can make a guide dated February 11 address the February 12 puzzle in another location. This answer guide is for the puzzle dated Thursday, February 12, 2026, game #711.
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