Looking for a mental tune-up or just a quick brain teaser with your morning coffee? The New York Times continues to roll out daily Strands puzzles, and Thursday’s edition brought us a fun, slightly nostalgic twist on a theme — one that’ll click instantly with car lovers, and eventually even with casual solvers after a few “Aha!” moments.
Let’s dive into the full rundown, from how to play, to today’s theme hint, and of course, the spangram and all the answers. Spoilers ahead, so scroll slowly if you want to take a crack at the puzzle on your own first!
How To Play NYT Strands
In case you’re new to Strands (welcome to the addiction), the format is a modern twist on the word search. Each puzzle comes with a 6×8 grid of letters and a thematic clue that guides you toward hidden words. These theme words are all connected by a central concept, and when found, they’ll light up in blue.
But the real challenge — and the star of the show — is the spangram. This is a longer word (or phrase) that stretches from one end of the board to the other, and it links all the theme words conceptually. Spangrams appear in yellow when found, and solving it often cracks the entire board wide open.
A word of advice from NYT editor Tracy Bennett: the puzzle’s difficulty can vary significantly, so don’t get too cocky after an easy win. Some days are curveballs, and others feel like batting practice.
Also read: NYT Mini Crossword Answers and Hints for Thrusday, May 15
Today’s Strands Hint May 15, 2025
Let’s start with the official clue provided by the New York Times:
Hint: “Animal drive”
Hmm. Cryptic enough, but also just vague enough to give you a broad direction. Are we talking about migration patterns? Jungle stampedes? Not quite.
Here’s a more helpful nudge — my personal hint:
“Vroom vroom.”
Now we’re talking. Think chrome, horsepower, and creatures of land, air… and maybe some forgotten 70s hatchbacks.
Today’s Spangram Answer
If you’ve pieced a few of the animal-related terms together and sensed a vehicular pattern, you were on the right track.
Spangram: AUTOMOBILES
Yes, today’s board features a zoo of car models named after animals. Some are iconic, some are obscure, and one or two might make you say, “Wait, that was a car?”
Today’s Strands Answers for 15, 2025
Here’s the complete list of theme words for May 15’s puzzle:
- BRONCO – As in the Ford Bronco. This rugged SUV kicked off the list.
- IMPALA – Not just a graceful antelope, but also a long-running Chevy model.
- MUSTANG – A classic muscle car from Ford and also a wild horse.
- BEETLE – Volkswagen’s funky bug-shaped icon.
- JAGUAR – Luxury and speed, named after the sleek big cat.
- RABBIT – A compact car from VW that’s easy to forget… unless you drove one in the 80s.
Each of these vehicles has some animal inspiration, whether overt or subtle. This puzzle cleverly combined two categories — zoology and auto brands — into a single, satisfying solve.
Related:
Thoughts On Today’s Puzzle
Today’s theme was one of the more satisfying ones we’ve seen lately. There was a nice mix of familiar (Mustang, Beetle) and tricky (Rabbit, Impala). Even as someone who writes about tech and games more than muscle cars, I found myself enjoying the nostalgic nods baked into this grid.
Some near misses: I spotted RAM, which definitely fits the theme (and is also a truck), but there weren’t enough letters to spell it out. Likewise, I briefly thought “COBRA” might be a word, especially since it’s a Mustang variant — but it wasn’t part of the final list.
Also worth noting: the game lets you guess without penalties, so don’t be afraid to throw some wild stabs if you’re stuck. The act of guessing might just trigger a flash of recognition — or even help you stumble into the spangram by accident.
Also read: Today’s Quordle Hints & Answers – May 15, Game #1207
Final Thoughts
Today’s NYT Strands puzzle was a clever intersection of animals and automobiles, making it one of the more enjoyable grids of the week. Whether you’re a gearhead or just someone who rode to school in a Rabbit, there was something oddly nostalgic about it.
Remember to check back daily for more puzzles — and we’ll keep breaking them down here with hints, spangrams, and full solutions.
