Strands · No. 898 · Tuesday, August 18, 2026
NYT Strands #898 hints and answers
Today’s theme clue is “Fool me once ...”. Hints for the theme and the spangram, one step at a time.
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0 of 7 theme words foundToday’s themeFool me once ...
Every 3 non-theme words you find earn a hint.
The hint ladder
0 of 8 hints usedThe theme6 words✓ Solved
NudgeReveal nudge
Snake oil sellers keep a very rich vocabulary.
Helpful?
HintReveal hint
Each theme word is a verb meaning to trick or swindle someone out of trust or money.
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One wordReveal one word
One theme word: BAMBOOZLE
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AnswerReveal answer
Theme words: BAMBOOZLE, BILK, DECEIVE, DUPE, HOODWINK, MISLEAD
The spangramTouches two sides✓ Solved
NudgeReveal nudge
Not the act this time, but the actor.
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HintReveal hint
A noun for a fraud who fakes expertise, like a quack peddling miracle cures.
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One wordReveal one word
C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N (9 letters)
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AnswerReveal answer
CHARLATAN
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