You’ve been staring at that grid for ten minutes. The coffee is getting cold. The theme "It's been a while" is mocking you from the top of the screen. We've all been there with the New York Times Strands, especially on a Saturday when the editors like to get a bit more experimental with the letter layouts.
Honestly, the NYT Strands hints July 26 are a bit of a trick today. Most people see "It's been a while" and immediately start hunting for words like "Long" or "Time" or maybe "Ages." You might even try to find "Vintage." Stop. You’re going down the wrong rabbit hole.
Today’s puzzle, #510, isn't about the duration of time itself. It’s about what happens after that time has passed. It’s about the act of coming back together.
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Why the Theme Hint is Tripping You Up
The "It's been a while" clue is a classic NYT misdirection. It sets a nostalgic tone, but the actual vocabulary is much more formal and action-oriented. Think about a high school reunion or a military call-to-arms.
If you’re stuck, look for verbs. Big, meaty verbs.
The grid layout today is particularly devious because of how the letters for the longer words are snaked around the edges. If you found "Union" but couldn't get it to turn yellow, you’re halfway there. You just missed the prefix.
The Big Reveal: Today's Spangram
The spangram for July 26 is REUNION.
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It’s horizontal, stretching from the left side to the right. It starts with an 'R' on the fourth row down on the far-left edge. Once you highlight it, the rest of the board starts to make sense. Suddenly, all those random clusters of letters transform into synonyms for "gathering."
Every Answer for NYT Strands July 26
If you just want the list so you can move on with your Saturday, here is the breakdown of the theme words. No fluff, just the answers:
- MEET: A simple four-letter word that’s easy to overlook when you're hunting for big ones.
- GATHER: Look for this near the top.
- CONVENE: A bit more formal, but it fits the "Reunion" vibe perfectly.
- ASSEMBLE: This one uses a lot of real estate on the board.
- MUSTER: This was the "Aha!" moment for many players today. You "muster" up courage or "muster" a group.
- CONGREGATE: The heavy hitter. At ten letters, it’s the longest non-spangram word in the puzzle.
Strategy for the Tricky Sections
The bottom section of today's grid is where the difficulty spikes. CONGREGATE and MUSTER are crammed into a tight space that makes them look like gibberish.
If you can't see the words, try finding "non-theme" words to bank some hints. Words like "SCONE" or "ROSE" are hiding in there. They won't turn blue, but they will fill your hint meter.
A lot of players got stuck on MUSTER. It’s not a word we use every day unless we're talking about historical battles or very specific social gatherings. If you saw "MUST" but couldn't figure out where to go next, look for the "ER" tucked in the corner.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't look for nouns. You won't find "Class," "School," or "Party" here. The NYT went strictly with verbs for this set.
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Also, watch out for "Encounter." It feels like it should be there. It’s a great word for a reunion. It is not in the grid. Don't waste your time trying to connect those letters; they belong to the actual theme words.
Moving Forward with Your Streak
Strands is a game of pattern recognition more than a vocabulary test. When you see a "Q" or a "Z," you know exactly where to focus. But on days like today, where the letters are all common (lots of E, R, and S), the board can feel like soup.
- Always find the spangram first if you can. It literally divides the board and limits where the other words can hide.
- Trace the edges. Theme words in Strands love to hug the perimeter.
- If you have a "CON-" prefix, look for "V" or "G" nearby. English has a limited number of "CON" words that fit a gathering theme.
That's the wrap for the July 26 puzzle. Use these hints to save your streak and get that perfect board without any lightbulbs. Check back tomorrow if the grid gets messy again.