NYT Strands Hints for July 20, 2026 — Puzzle #869

A letter grid with themed words and a spangram. Hints give the official clue, then the shape.

Hints and answers for NYT Strands #869 on July 20, 2026: the official clue, the spangram's length and first letter, how many theme words to find, then the spangram and the theme words behind a reveal.

Puzzle date: July 20, 2026 (2026-07-20) · #869 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/strands/v2/2026-07-20.json). Hints are derived from that day's verified answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The official clue

The puzzle's clue is Small talk.

2. The spangram

The spangram is 9 letters long and starts with I.

3. How many theme words

There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram.

4. The answers

Reveal spangram and theme words

SPANGRAM: ITSYBITSY

Theme words: LITTLE, MICROSCOPIC, MINIATURE, MINUSCULE, TINY

NYT Strands answer for July 20, 2026 — puzzle #869

SPANGRAM: ITSYBITSY. Theme words: LITTLE, MICROSCOPIC, MINIATURE, MINUSCULE, TINY.

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