NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Monday, December 9 (game #281)

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #281) - hint #1 - today's theme

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Quiet at first

NYT Strands today (game #281) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SLAP
• POEM
• NOISEY
• MILE
• SMELT
• PONY

NYT Strands today (game #281) - hint #3 - spangram

• What’s an aphthong?

NYT Strands ...