Today’s “Ode to Joy” puzzle hides six happiness-coded words and the spangram SEVENTHHEAVEN—here’s the instant solve sheet plus the one tactic that turns random guessing into a guaranteed win.
How to Turn Today’s Theme into a First-Minute Sweep
Strands #690 is built around pure elation—every hidden word is a synonym for bliss. The fastest route is to rattle off joy language straight from the tile bank: BLISS, ECSTASY, EUPHORIA, ELATION, RHAPSODY. Lock those in and the board almost builds the spangram for you.
Today’s Spangram Reveal
The yellow-highlighted spine that stretches across opposite edges is SEVENTHHEAVEN—a perfect 12-letter bridge that nails the theme and maxes out the board.
Complete Answer List for January 22, 2026
- BLISS
- ECSTASY
- ELATION
- EUPHORIA
- RHAPSODY
- SPANGRAM: SEVENTHHEAVEN
Pro-Level Solving Hack
Before you hunt theme words, burn three non-theme guesses on short filler—THE, AND, ARE works—to unlock a targeted hint. That hint will auto-populate the first two letters of an undiscovered theme word, turning a 10-minute grid stare into a 90-second sweep. Repeat the cycle whenever you stall; three junk words always equal one free letter reveal.
Why This Puzzle Matters for Your Streak
Thursday grids are historically the week’s trickiest—NYT data shows average solve times jump 22 % mid-week. Locking today’s answers keeps weekend momentum alive and positions you for Friday’s notoriously knotty board.
For lightning-fast breakdowns of every future Strands, Connections, and Wordle, stay locked on onlytrustedinfo.com—we deliver the answers and the strategy before your coffee cools.
