NYT Strands Hints And Answers: Thursday, February 20 (Game #354)

Laila Abdi

3 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

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Understanding the NYT Strands Gameplay

NYT Strands is a captivating word puzzle game similar to Wordle, but with a unique twist. The objective is to guess a secret five-letter word within a limited number of attempts. Unlike Wordle, which uses colored squares to indicate correct letters and positions, Strands reveals which letters from your guess are present in the target word and their positions within the word. This requires a different strategic approach compared to Wordle.

Key differences between Strands and Wordle include:

• Revealed Letters: Each guess reveals which letters are in the final word and their positions, but not through color-coding like Wordle.
• Limited Attempts: Players have a limited number of attempts to guess the word, adding an element of pressure and excitement.
• Strategic Letter Placement: Strategic letter placement is crucial. You'll need to carefully consider where to place each letter based on the feedback you receive.
• Common Letters and Combinations: Focus on utilizing frequently occurring letters and common letter combinations to increase your chances of success.

Hints for NYT Strands Game #354 (February 20)

Let's tackle game #354! Here are some subtle hints to guide you towards the solution without giving away the answer:

• Hint 1: Consider words related to everyday household items.
• Hint 2: The solution contains the common vowel "E."
• Hint 3: Think about words with a consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel-consonant letter pattern.

These hints should help narrow down your possibilities and lead you to the solution. Remember to utilize the feedback from each guess to refine your next attempt.

NYT Strands Game #354 Solution

After carefully considering the hints and applying some strategic guessing, you'll likely find that the answer fits perfectly.

• **The answer is: SHAVE
• Explanation: "SHAVE" is a common word that aligns with the hints provided: it relates to a common household item (a razor), contains the vowel "E," and follows the suggested consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel-consonant pattern.

Strategies for Future NYT Strands Games

Improving your NYT Strands game involves developing effective strategies. Here are some tips to enhance your gameplay:

• Start with common letters: Begin your guesses with words containing frequently used letters such as E, A, R, I, O, and T. This helps identify commonly occurring letters within the target word.
• Elimination Strategies: Use an elimination strategy to systematically eliminate possibilities based on the feedback provided after each guess. This will allow you to narrow down your choices more efficiently.
• Less Common Combinations: Don't solely rely on common letter combinations. Sometimes, considering less frequent combinations can be key to unlocking the solution.
• Regular Practice: Practice regularly to improve your word knowledge and familiarity with common letter patterns. The more you play, the better you'll become at anticipating the correct word.

Conclusion

This guide provided hints and the solution for the NYT Strands puzzle, game #354, released on Thursday, February 20th. We explored the gameplay, offered strategic hints, and revealed the correct answer: SHAVE. Remember to use the tips and strategies provided to enhance your performance in future NYT Strands games.

Call to Action: Keep challenging yourself with the daily NYT Strands puzzles! Check back tomorrow for hints and answers to the next NYT Strands game. Share your scores and strategies in the comments below! Improve your word puzzle skills with daily NYT Strands practice.