Stuck on today’s Strands? Here’s a clean, spoiler‑layered walkthrough to get you from the theme to the spangram to every final word in game #577. You can play Strands on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile at nytimes.com/games/strands.

Today’s theme (no spoilers beyond the title)

Theme clue: That’s got a ring to it!

Think showmanship and a classic circular stage. You’re looking for people, not props or animals.

Earn in‑game hints with non‑theme words

Strands gives you a hint after every three valid non‑theme words of four or more letters. These longer entries are on today’s board and are handy for unlocking lightbulbs fast:

  • CONTRACTIONS
  • GLOW
  • SUPREME
  • JOLT
  • CROWN
  • STINT

Tip: If you prefer a tiny nudge toward theme words, scan for starts like “CO…”, “JU…”, “CL…”, and “AC…”.

Spangram help (still spoiler‑light)

  • Length: 16 letters
  • Path: runs horizontally, touching the left and right edges on the 3rd row

Note: The spangram describes the set and uses the full width of that row, but it can still snake as Strands allows turns.

Full answers for NYT Strands #577 (spoilers)

Theme words Notes
CLOWN Comic performer
JUGGLER Keeps multiple objects in motion
ACROBAT Aerials, flips, balance
CONTORTIONIST Extreme flexibility
CIRCUSPERFORMERS Spangram (16 letters; spans row 3 left to right)

Observation: The spangram is unusually long today, which can make it harder to visualize until you’ve placed one or two shorter theme words.

Yesterday’s Strands (reference)

Game Theme words Spangram
#576 EMPATHY, HONESTY, DISCIPLINE, LOYALTY, RESPECT VALUES

If you’re keeping a streak, today’s grid is all about spotting the performers first, then threading that long spangram across the third row. Once one role drops into place, the rest tend to follow.