NYT Strands Today April 21, 2026 #779: Spangram, Theme Words

Today’s Strands is one of those boards that feels obvious only after it’s already annoyed you.

For Tuesday, April 21, 2026, NYT Strands #779 comes with the theme “Risky business”, and at first glance, that title can send your brain in the completely wrong direction. Money? Corporate drama? Tom Cruise? Nope.

This one is all about daring people.

And honestly, it is a sneaky puzzle.

Not because the idea is confusing.
Because the vocabulary gets bigger than the theme sounds.

Key Points / Quick Summary

If you want the clean breakdown first, here’s the fast version:

Puzzle Detail	Answer Info
Date	April 21, 2026
Puzzle Number	#779
Theme	Risky business
Spangram	DAREDEVILS
Theme Words	BOLD, GUTSY, INTREPID, COURAGEOUS, ADVENTUROUS
Difficulty	Moderate to tricky (3.5/5)

Multiple same-day Strands answer pages agree on the same set for puzzle #779, with DAREDEVILS as the spangram and the five theme words matching the bravery theme.

Spoiler-Light Hints for NYT Strands #779

If you want help without instantly killing the fun, here are the safer clues first.

Today’s theme is:

Risky business

That title is a bit of a misdirect. The board is not about jobs, finance, or business deals. It is about people who embrace danger, or at least don’t run from it.

Gentle Theme Hint

Think:

fearless personalities
thrill-seekers
brave people
people who lean toward danger instead of away from it

That’s the real lane.

Spangram Hint (No Full Spoiler Yet)

Today’s spangram:

is 10 letters
starts with D
ends with S
describes people who take risks for excitement
runs left to right according to at least one same-day answer tracker, though some guides described the board path differently, so orientation is the least important clue here

If that still feels too vague, think of:

stunt performers, cliff divers, extreme risk-takers

That should push you very close.

Today’s NYT Strands Spangram Answer

If you’re ready for the reveal:

Today’s Strands spangram is: DAREDEVILS

Yes — for NYT Strands #779 on April 21, 2026, the spangram is DAREDEVILS. Multiple same-day puzzle pages and answer trackers line up on that exact result.

And honestly, once you see it, the whole board clicks.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that some of the longer theme words can still be annoying even after the spangram.

Full NYT Strands #779 Theme Word List

Here are the full theme words for today’s puzzle:

BOLD
GUTSY
INTREPID
COURAGEOUS
ADVENTUROUS

Together with DAREDEVILS, they build the full “Risky business” idea: not just bravery, but different levels and flavors of bravery. Same-day answer sources consistently list these exact five theme words.

Why Strands #779 Felt Trickier Than It Looked

This was not a brutal Strands.

But it was definitely a slow starter.

Here’s why:

1) The theme title points you sideways first

“Risky business” sounds broader than the actual answer set. Until you realize it means daring personalities, the grid can feel weirdly open.

That early wobble matters.

2) The board uses longer, more formal words

BOLD and GUTSY are friendly.
INTREPID and COURAGEOUS are where the board starts getting fussy.

Even same-day player reactions called this one tougher than expected, with several people saying they needed a hint just to get rolling. That matches the vibe exactly.

3) The puzzle works like a ladder of courage

This is the fun part.

The board moves from short, simple bravery words to bigger, more literary ones. It is almost like the puzzle is scaling upward:

BOLD = simple, clean
GUTSY = more casual
INTREPID = more adventurous
COURAGEOUS = classic heroic weight
ADVENTUROUS = thrill-seeking energy
DAREDEVILS = the full identity

That layered feel is what makes today’s puzzle smarter than it first looks.

Best Solve Strategy for “Risky business”

If you got stuck today, here’s the practical route that probably would have helped:

Look for BOLD and GUTSY first
Scan the edges for longer word tails like -OUS
Watch for INTREPID if you spot IN- or -PID
Once you find even part of DAREDEVILS, the board becomes much easier

A lot of Strands boards get easier when the spangram reveals the category.

This one is very much in that camp.

Difficulty Rating

I’d rate NYT Strands #779 at:

3.5/5 – Moderate to tricky

Why it lands there:

misleading theme title at first glance
several long words
at least one more formal vocabulary pick (INTREPID)
the board gets much easier after the spangram, but getting there can be awkward

That feels like a very fair rating for this one.

FAQ

What is the NYT Strands answer for April 21, 2026?

The full answer set for NYT Strands #779 includes the spangram DAREDEVILS plus the theme words BOLD, GUTSY, INTREPID, COURAGEOUS, and ADVENTUROUS. Multiple same-day Strands guides match on that exact list.

What is the spangram for Strands #779?

The spangram for April 21, 2026, puzzle #779, is DAREDEVILS.

Was NYT Strands #779 hard?

It was moderately tricky. The theme becomes clear eventually, but the longer words and slightly misleading title make it tougher than it first appears. Same-day player reactions also suggest many found it harder than expected.