Strands · No. 887 · Friday, August 7, 2026

NYT Strands #887 hints and answers

Today’s theme clue is “Struggling to find the words”. Hints for the theme and the spangram, one step at a time.

By DailyWordHint editors · Puzzle for Friday, August 7, 2026 · Puzzle by Tracy Bennett for The New York Times

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0 of 5 theme words found

Today’s themeStruggling to find the words

Every 3 non-theme words you find earn a hint.

0 of 8 hints used

The theme4 words

NudgeReveal nudge

Goofy names for objects whose real names went missing

Helpful?

HintReveal hint

Informal, jokey stand-in nouns people say for a gadget or doodad when the actual name escapes them.

Helpful?

One wordReveal one word

One theme word: GIZMO

Helpful?

AnswerReveal answer

Theme words: DINGUS, DOOHICKEY, GIZMO, THINGAMAJIGGY

The spangramTouches two sides

NudgeReveal nudge

One breathless mouthful, said when the noun escapes you

Helpful?

HintReveal hint

A long run-together placeholder phrase, said quickly, for an object you cannot name in the moment.

Helpful?

One wordReveal one word

W _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T (15 letters)

Helpful?

AnswerReveal answer

WHATCHAMACALLIT

Hints drafted with AI and checked automatically for spoilers. How we write hints