For the March 11, 2026, NYT Strands puzzle (#738), the theme is “Survival mode.” Try the clues below before scrolling to the complete solution: the spangram is DEFENSES, and the five theme words are ARMOR, AGILITY, MIMICRY, CAMOUFLAGE and DISTRACTION. WePC and Parade report the same answer set.
Date note: This guide is for March 11, 2026. The March 11, 2025 puzzle was different, with the theme “What’s the Magic Word?” and spangram CASTINGSPELLS (Parade’s 2025 guide).
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March 11, 2026 Strands hints
Use these clues in order to keep spoilers to a minimum. The theme words describe ways living things defend themselves or avoid danger.
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- Theme reveal: Survival mode.
- Meaning clues: Blend into your surroundings; imitate something else; use a hard protective covering; draw attention away from danger; or move quickly and flexibly to evade a threat.
- First letters: The answers begin AM, AG, MI, CA and DI. The spangram begins DE.
- Spangram clue: It has eight letters and runs mostly diagonally across the board.
In Strands, players connect adjoining letters in the grid to find theme words. WePC describes this puzzle’s board as a 6-by-8 grid of 48 letters, with connections allowed in any direction, including diagonally. The rules reproduced by Parade and attributed to The New York Times say the spangram describes the theme and touches two opposite sides. (WePC; Parade)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.All NYT Strands answers for March 11, 2026
Stop here if you want to solve the board yourself.
- ARMOR
- AGILITY
- MIMICRY
- CAMOUFLAGE
- DISTRACTION
Spangram: DEFENSES
The theme words name different survival strategies: protection, evasion, blending in, imitation and misdirection. These answers are reported by both WePC and Parade.
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