I took one look at today's Strands clue, "Foiled again!", and immediately started thinking about the roll of kitchen foil sitting beside my packed lunch. Probably not my finest detective work, but the first coffee had barely kicked in. This is the sort of clue that rewards letting your first interpretation go, even if you're rather pleased with it.
Once I stopped taking everything so literally, the grid began to feel a little less slippery. I'd suggest giving yourself a moment to enjoy the misdirection before reaching for a hint. There's a satisfying click waiting here, and it's worth leaving your toast unattended for.
This page covers NYT Strands #1185 for Sunday, November 15, 2026. You will find the theme clue, a spoiler free hint, a stronger hint, the spangram and every theme word, in that order. Scroll slowly and stop where you like.
Today's Strands theme
The official clue for Sunday, November 15, 2026 is "Foiled again!". There are 5 theme words to find plus the spangram, which always touches two opposite sides of the board.
Spoiler free hints
- The spangram has 13 letters and begins with the letter B.
- The shortest theme word has 5 letters, the longest has 9.
- The theme words start with these letters: F, J, P, R, S.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| F | 7 letters | Fi... |
| J | 5 letters | Jo... |
| P | 7 letters | Pe... |
| R | 7 letters | Ri... |
| S | 9 letters | Sc... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1185 is BATMANVILLAIN.
All NYT Strands answers for November 15, 2026
- FIREFLY (7 letters)
- JOKER (5 letters)
- PENGUIN (7 letters)
- RIDDLER (7 letters)
- SCARECROW (9 letters)
Spangram: BATMANVILLAIN. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try reading the clue as something someone might exclaim after a plan goes wrong, rather than as a reference to a material. If that suggests a familiar setting, test a few associated names against the grid before committing to one interpretation. Look for repeated letters and remember that paths can turn diagonally, so a promising start needn't continue in a straight line. The longer entries are easier to trace in smaller chunks. Once you've found one, use its occupied squares to narrow the routes available around it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Sunday, November 15, 2026, puzzle #1185, is BATMANVILLAIN. It spans the board from one side to the opposite side.
How many theme words are in today's Strands?
There are 5 theme words today, plus the spangram.
How do you earn hints in Strands?
Find any valid non theme word of at least four letters. Every three of those unlocks one hint, which highlights the letters of a theme word without ordering them for you.
What time does a new Strands puzzle appear?
A new puzzle goes live at midnight in your local time zone, so this page is updated every morning with the new board.
Sources
- NYT Games, Strands puzzle #1185 for Sunday, November 15, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
