The New York Times Strands puzzle for October 23, 2025 (Puzzle #599) is here, and today's theme might give players chills. The theme is "Please don't eat me!", and it's packed with plant-based dangers that fit perfectly with the Halloween season. If you're stuck on the puzzle, this guide breaks down the hints, spangram, and all correct answers.
Like other NYT word games, Strands challenges players to connect letters on a grid to uncover hidden words that share a theme. For those who enjoy puzzles like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, today's Strands is a great mix of fun and difficulty.
The puzzle's theme, "Please don't eat me!", immediately suggests something poisonous or dangerous. The clue "Remember Mr. Yuk?" reinforces that idea -- pointing toward toxic plants that are harmful if consumed.
Players can unlock in-game hints by finding any words with four letters or more. Common starter words like POND, NOON, LEAD, and GLOVE can help reveal theme words automatically. Each time you find three qualifying words, one hidden answer appears to help you progress.
Here's a closer look at today's confirmed Strands theme words:
Each of these plants is known for its toxic properties, perfectly fitting the theme's warning: "Please don't eat me!"
The spangram, which connects one side of the grid to the other, is POISONOUS. It ties together all the other answers and captures the essence of today's puzzle. To locate it, start with the letter P on the far left of the top row and trace downward and across to complete the word.
Once you've found the spangram and all the theme words, every letter on the board will be used, signaling that the puzzle is complete.
NYT Strands continues to attract a growing fan base thanks to its clever daily themes. Recent standout puzzles included "Dated Slang" from January 21, which featured terms like PHAT, and "Thar She Blows!" from January 15, focused on marine biology with tricky words like BALEEN and RIGHT. Today's poisonous plant theme continues that streak of creative, knowledge-based wordplay.
Whether you solved it solo or needed hints along the way, the October 23 Strands puzzle is a reminder of how diverse and imaginative the NYT's word game lineup has become.