NYT Strands November 30 Puzzle: A Test of Animal Collective Nouns
The latest New York Times Strands puzzle has arrived with an engaging theme that explores the fascinating world of collective nouns for animals. Released on November 30, 2025, this puzzle challenges players to identify words that describe groups of creatures, emphasizing the concept of strength in numbers.
Today's installment marks Strands game number 637, continuing the popular word game series that has captivated puzzle enthusiasts worldwide. The theme cleverly incorporates vocabulary used to describe animals when they gather in packs, herds, or other formations.
Hints and Clues for Today's Challenge
For players seeking some guidance without completely spoiling the solution, several helpful clues were provided. The theme specifically focuses on groups of creatures and their collective names when gathered together. Players were encouraged to think about the specialized vocabulary used to describe animals in clusters or packs.
Important hints included the revelation that the spangram runs vertically and begins with the letters IN. Additionally, players learned that one of the theme words relates to lions, and two of the answers contain only four letters, providing valuable constraints for solving the puzzle.
Confirmed Answers and Solution
The complete solution for November 30's Strands puzzle includes eight theme words: ANTS, ARMY, COWS, FLOCK, GEESE, HERD, LIONS, and PRIDE. These words represent various collective nouns for animal groups, with PRIDE specifically referring to lions as hinted earlier in the clues.
The connecting spangram for today's puzzle is IN IT TOGETHER, a phrase that perfectly captures the theme of collective nouns and unity among animals. This overarching phrase ties all the individual answers together thematically.
Puzzle Difficulty and Player Experience
Today's Strands grid was rated as moderately challenging, requiring careful attention to letter direction due to short curved paths throughout the board. Players who managed to identify the spangram early in their solving process found the puzzle significantly more manageable.
Once IN IT TOGETHER was spotted, the pattern of collective nouns became much clearer, helping reveal the remaining entries. The satisfaction of discovering the unifying phrase combined with recognizing familiar animal group terms made this particular puzzle especially enjoyable for word game enthusiasts.
The puzzle successfully blended educational elements with entertainment, exposing players to the rich vocabulary of collective nouns while providing an engaging solving experience. This approach demonstrates how word games can both challenge and educate players simultaneously.
