NYT Strands Hints, Answers for Nov. 28, 2025 (Game #635)

Written by Anish – TechBoltX | Updated: November 28, 2025

Overview — Strands #635 (Theme: “If all else fails…”)

Strands #635 leans into superstition and small rituals people use when they hope for luck. If you’re not familiar with common making-a-wish customs, a few theme answers may be harder to spot — especially when letters are scrambled on the board. Below I’ve organized spoiler-light hints, the clue words that worked in-game, every theme answer, the spangram, and a quick walkthrough to help you finish the grid fast.

Spoiler-light hints

• Theme hint: If all else fails… — think wishes, luck, and small rituals people perform to make wishes come true.
• Extra clue: Don’t tell — it won’t come true. That classic superstition points toward the “make a wish” family of answers.
• Use any 4+ letter words to unlock in-game hints. Try the sample words below to earn tokens quickly.

Clue words to unlock hints (use any 4+ letter words; these worked today)

GLUB, RATS, TARN, DALE, FONT, FOUNT, LASH

Spangram shape hint

The spangram stretches across the board; it starts with M and ends with L, and winds across the grid from the far right (start at the M three letters down on the far right and trace backwards).

Full Strands answers (SPOILERS)

If you’re ready for the solutions, here are the theme answers for Strands #635:

• DANDELION — blow the seeds and make a wish.
• STAR — wish upon a star.
• COIN — toss a coin into a fountain or well.
• FOUNTAIN — make a wish in a fountain.
• LADYBUG — some cultures make a wish when a ladybug lands on you.
• EYELASH — make a wish on an eyelash you find on your cheek.

Spangram (the theme word)

MAKEAWISH — the central connecting phrase and spangram; once it’s visible it usually makes the rest of the board click.

Quick placement & solving tips

• After the spangram appears, look for longer themed answers first (DANDELION, FOUNTAIN) — they anchor the board.
• Short, common words like STAR and COIN are often tucked near the center; check around the spangram letters for those.
• Remember that Strands will reveal a theme word after every three valid 4+ letter finds — use that to pace your guesses.

FAQ — Strands #635

Q: Is the spangram always thematic?

A: Usually — in Strands the spangram often directly signals the theme (here: MAKE A WISH).

Q: How many theme answers were there today?

A: Six theme answers plus the spangram.

Q: Do all players get the same puzzle?

A: Yes — NYT Strands is the same daily puzzle for all players.

Q: When does Strands reset?

A: The NYT puzzle slate refreshes at midnight Eastern Time.