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NYT Strands Answer & Hints — “If all else fails ...”, November 28, 2025

Stuck on the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle? Here are progressive hints and the full answer for the “If all else fails ...” puzzle (Strands #328 of 509 in our archive). Every reveal is hidden by default — click to open the ones you need.

Spoiler warning. The answers below are for the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle. Scroll past this section if you want to solve it yourself first.
Hint 1: The themeReveal

The theme for the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle is “If all else fails ...”. Every theme word and the spangram connects back to this phrase, so think about what related words might fit a 6×8 grid of 48 letters before you start scanning.

Hint 2: Spangram length and first letterReveal

The spangram for the “If all else fails ...” puzzle is 9 letters long and starts with the letter M. It touches two opposite edges of the grid, as every NYT Strands spangram does.

Hint 3: How many theme wordsReveal

Besides the spangram, the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle has 6 theme words. Together with the spangram, they use every letter on the 6×8 grid exactly once.

Answer: Full spangramReveal

The spangram for the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands “If all else fails ...” puzzle is MAKEAWISH. It spans two opposite edges of the 6×8 grid and captures the theme directly.

Answer: All theme wordsReveal

Here are the 6 theme words for the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands “If all else fails ...” puzzle:

  • COIN
  • DANDELION
  • EYELASH
  • FOUNTAIN
  • LADYBUG
  • STAR

Plus the spangram MAKEAWISH, that’s every word on the grid — all 48 letters accounted for.

Answers for the November 28, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle. Strands Unlimited is an independent fan archive — today's NYT Strands is free on nytimes.com/games/strands.

About the "If all else fails ..." NYT Strands puzzle

"If all else fails ..." is the kind of Strands theme that makes you smile once you figure it out. The phrase works on two levels, and the spangram clarifies which one the puzzle is actually about. This science & technology puzzle is built around wordplay, so approach the grid with an open mind — the theme words might not be what you first expect from reading the title alone.

This puzzle has 6 theme words hidden in the grid — a balanced count that gives you enough to work with without overwhelming the board. With 9 letters, the spangram is mid-length — long enough to stand out in the grid but still requiring careful scanning to trace from edge to edge. Originally published on a Friday, Puzzle #328 is a more recent addition to the 509+ puzzle archive.

#328
Puzzle Number
6
Theme Words
9
Spangram Letters
Medium
Difficulty

How to approach "If all else fails ..."

  • This theme contains wordplay — don't take it at face value. Think about alternative meanings and which interpretation the hidden words might support.
  • Start by scanning the grid edges for the spangram — it must connect two opposite sides. Once you find it, the theme becomes clear and the remaining words are easier to spot.
  • If the theme seems abstract, look for concrete nouns first. Most Strands puzzles hide everyday words (objects, animals, foods, places) rather than abstract concepts.
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Strands Unlimited is an independent fan archive of past Strands puzzles. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times Company. NYT Strands is a trademark of The New York Times Company. Today's daily puzzle is free at nytimes.com/games/strands.