NYT Strands #980 answer & hints: Sunday, November 8, 2026

Updated: Sunday, November 8, 2026 · Hints reviewed by Omer Liban · New puzzle daily at midnight US Eastern Time (5am UK). · Puzzle editor: Tracy Bennett.

This page has every level of help for the NYT Strands puzzle #980 of Sunday, November 8, 2026: 2 spoiler-free hint tiers that narrow things down step by step, followed by the complete answers with explanations — each behind its own tap-to-reveal card.

Today's Strands theme got you stuck? Start with the theme explainer, then reveal first letters, the spangram, and finally the full solution.

Strands is a themed word search: find the theme words hidden in the letter grid, plus the spangram — a special answer that touches two opposite sides of the board and names the theme. Every letter gets used exactly once.

Strands hints (November 8, 2026)

1Understanding the theme

The official clue is “Disciplined combat”. There are 5 theme words plus the spangram.

2First letters of the theme words

J, K, K, N, T

Strands answers — November 8, 2026 (#980)

★The spangram

MARTIALARTS (11 letters).

★All of today's Strands answers

Spangram: MARTIALARTS
Theme words: JUDO, KARATE, KICKBOXING, NINJUTSU, TAEKWONDO

The puzzle, explained

"Martial arts" perfectly wraps up today's theme by literally naming the category of disciplined combat sports we've been finding. You've got the obvious heavy hitters—karate and taekwondo are the poster children for martial arts, while judo and kickboxing are instantly recognizable combat disciplines. The sneaky one here is ninjutsu, which might feel like it belongs more in ninja fiction than in a practical sport category, but it's absolutely a legitimate martial art with its own techniques and philosophy. Together, they showcase the full spectrum from Olympic-level sports to more niche fighting systems, all united under that umbrella of controlled, disciplined combat.

Next in today's routine: Spelling Bee → · every game's answers on one page. New puzzle daily at midnight US Eastern Time (5am UK). Bookmark this page for tomorrow's hints. Or play Strands on the official site.

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Strands — common questions

What is a spangram in Strands?

The spangram is the special theme word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the board. It describes the puzzle's theme and always exists in every Strands puzzle.

How do I earn hints in Strands itself?

Finding three non-theme words in the grid earns one in-game hint, which highlights the letters of a theme word.

Can theme words overlap in Strands?

No — every letter in the grid is used exactly once across the theme words and spangram, which is a powerful deduction tool late in the puzzle.

Previous Strands puzzles

Full Strands archive (185 puzzles) → · How to play Strands (spangram tactics) →