NEW YORK — Word game enthusiasts tackling the New York Times Strands puzzle on Tuesday found themselves navigating a grid filled with daring spirit, as the theme “Risky business” challenged players to uncover words describing bold individuals who thrive on adventure and courage.
The daily word-search style game, which debuted as part of the NYT Games lineup and quickly gained a devoted following, presents a letter grid where solvers must find themed words connected to a central spangram — a special word or phrase that typically spans the board and encapsulates the day’s concept. For Strands No. 779 on April 21, 2026, the puzzle rewarded those who embraced risk with a set of synonyms for bravery and thrill-seeking.
Today’s theme hint from the New York Times read simply “Risky business,” with an additional nudge: “Take a chance.” That subtle guidance pointed solvers toward traits of people unafraid to push boundaries, whether in extreme sports, stunts or everyday leaps of faith. Once players identified the spangram, the remaining theme words fell into place more readily for many.
The spangram for Tuesday’s puzzle was **DAREDEVILS**, a 10-letter term that perfectly captured the essence of individuals who court danger for excitement or performance. Sources described it as snaking vertically or spanning multiple directions across the grid, often starting near the left side and connecting key letters. Finding the spangram early provided a significant boost, as it highlighted letters tied to the theme and unlocked hints within the game interface.
The five non-spangram theme words were: **BOLD**, **GUTSY**, **INTREPID**, **COURAGEOUS** and **ADVENTUROUS**. Each word embodies a facet of daring personality — from the straightforward confidence of “bold” to the fearless exploration implied by “adventurous” and the gutsy resolve of “gutsy.” “Intrepid” evoked historical explorers or modern-day risk-takers, while “courageous” highlighted moral or physical bravery in the face of peril.
Solvers reported varying difficulty levels, with some rating the puzzle as moderately challenging due to overlapping letters and the need to distinguish theme words from filler terms. Common distractors included words like ROUTE, ROUTER, DIET, RATE and GATE, which appeared in the grid but did not fit the “Risky business” motif. Playing these extraneous words could trigger the in-game hint system, revealing the first letter or direction of up to three theme words at a time — a helpful tool for those stuck midway through the board.
To approach Tuesday’s Strands effectively, start by scanning for longer letter sequences that might form the spangram. Look for clusters involving D, A, R, E and other letters common in words about risk. Once “DAREDEVILS” emerges, pivot to shorter synonyms for bravery scattered around the remaining letters. Many players found success by focusing on the outer edges or diagonal paths after securing the spangram.
Strands has become a staple alongside other NYT Games such as Wordle, Connections and the Mini Crossword, appealing to fans who enjoy layered word puzzles without the strict rules of traditional crosswords. The game’s visual design — a honeycomb-like grid of letters — encourages both strategic scanning and intuitive leaps, mirroring the risk-taking theme of the April 21 puzzle.
For those who prefer gradual reveals, the official NYT Strands Sidekick provided progressive hints. Clicking each one uncovered partial information, such as the starting letters of theme words: BO for BOLD, GU for GUTSY, IN for INTREPID, CO for COURAGEOUS and AD for ADVENTUROUS. These built confidence without spoiling the full solution, allowing casual players to maintain the satisfaction of discovery.
The “Risky business” theme resonated widely on social media Tuesday, with players sharing screenshots of completed grids and celebrating streaks. One solver noted the puzzle felt thematically timely amid spring’s spirit of outdoor adventure and new challenges. Others drew parallels to real-world daredevils, from stunt performers and athletes to entrepreneurs betting on bold ideas.
Strands puzzles are generated daily, with themes ranging from everyday objects to abstract concepts, pop culture nods and seasonal references. Tuesday’s entry stood out for its motivational undertone, reminding participants that embracing a bit of risk — whether in a word game or life — often leads to rewarding outcomes. The spangram “DAREDEVILS” particularly delighted fans of action sports, circus arts and superhero lore, where the term carries cultural weight.
Beginners or those new to Strands can improve by practicing letter pattern recognition and expanding vocabulary around specific themes. Resources like hint articles from CNET, Mashable, TechRadar and Lifehacker offer balanced guidance, providing escalating clues before full answers. On April 21, sites emphasized avoiding spoilers until after personal attempts, respecting the community’s shared experience of solving together yet independently.
After completing the theme words and spangram, the grid typically fills with neutral letters, signaling victory with a celebratory animation. Tuesday’s board, once solved, showcased the interconnected nature of daring traits: A bold move often requires gutsy follow-through, intrepid exploration and courageous conviction, all wrapped in an adventurous mindset.
The New York Times Games platform tracks player statistics, including solve times and streaks, fostering friendly competition among millions of daily users worldwide. For Tuesday’s puzzle, early data suggested average solve times aligned with a standard difficulty, though the thematic cohesion helped some finish faster than Monday’s “sparkly” edition focused on light-related verbs.
Looking ahead, Strands continues to evolve with fresh themes, keeping the game engaging without major rule changes. Fans appreciate its accessibility — free with a NYT subscription or limited plays — and the absence of ads during core gameplay. The April 21 edition reinforced why the puzzle has carved a niche: It combines mental exercise with thematic storytelling, turning a simple letter hunt into a narrative about human boldness.
If you missed Tuesday’s puzzle or want to revisit it, the NYT Games app and website archive previous Strands entries for practice. For those seeking similar challenges, Connections tests category grouping, while Wordle hones five-letter precision. Together, these games form a robust daily routine for word enthusiasts.
Whether you nailed “DAREDEVILS” on the first scan or needed multiple hints to uncover “INTREPID” and “ADVENTUROUS,” the puzzle delivered a satisfying mental workout. In the spirit of its own theme, tackling Strands requires a touch of daring — committing to letters that might lead nowhere before striking gold.
As solvers wrapped up their grids on April 21, many reflected on personal “risky business” moments, from career shifts to travel adventures. The game subtly encourages that mindset: Spot the pattern, take the chance and reap the reward of a completed board.
For Wednesday’s Strands and beyond, check the New York Times Games section promptly after midnight Eastern Time for the latest grid. With hints available through official channels and community discussions, even tricky themes become conquerable. Today’s “Risky business” served as a perfect reminder that sometimes the boldest path through the letters — or through life — yields the greatest thrill.
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