NYT Strands Hints, Answers & Spangram for Jan 22 (#690)

Need help with today’s Strands puzzle? The Jan. 22, 2026 edition (Puzzle No. 690) is a feel-good challenge, but don’t be fooled — several of the theme words are long, abstract, and tricky to untangle, especially early on.

Below, you’ll find gentle hints first, followed by clue words, full answers, and the spangram, so you can control how many spoilers you see.

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🎯 Today’s NYT Strands Theme

Theme: Ode to joy

If that feels a little vague, here’s a clearer nudge:

👉 Clue: Because I’m happy.

That should point you toward emotions and expressions of intense happiness.

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🔍 Clue Words to Unlock In-Game Hints

If you’re stuck, remember: every three words of four letters or more will unlock one theme word hint in the game.

These are some valid words that can help trigger hints (yours may differ):

• BOLD
• BOLDS
• CASE
• HEAT
• LONE
• SIEVE
• THEN
• THEE
• HAVE
• HAVEN
• YODEL
• YODELS

Don’t overthink these — any qualifying words will do.

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✅ Today’s NYT Strands Answers (Jan. 22, #690)

All of the following words fit the theme and must be found to complete the puzzle.

🟩 Theme Words (Non-Spangram)

• BLISS
• ECSTASY
• ELATION
• EUPHORIA
• RHAPSODY

These are longer, abstract nouns, which explains why today’s grid feels more challenging than average.

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⭐ Today’s Strands Spangram

SEVENTHHEAVEN

To find it:

• Start with the S at the bottom of the far-left column
• Wind upward and across the grid

Once placed correctly, the spangram helps unlock the remaining theme words by revealing letter paths.

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🤔 Why Today’s Strands Was Tricky

• Long emotional vocabulary instead of concrete nouns
• Overlapping letter paths, especially near EUPHORIA and RHAPSODY
• The theme is intuitive, but the execution demands patience

If this one felt slower, that’s completely normal.

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🧠 Strands Tip

When the theme points to abstract ideas (emotions, concepts, states of mind), scan for suffixes like –ION, –ASY, or –ORY. They often signal longer theme words hiding in plain sight.

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💬 Your Turn

Which word did you find first — BLISS or EUPHORIA?
Did the SEVENTHHEAVEN spangram jump out, or was it your final discovery?

Share your solve experience below 👇

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Game: NYT Strands
Publisher: The New York Times
Puzzle Number: #690
Date: January 22, 2026
Author: TechBoltX Team