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NYT Strands Answer — August 23, 2025

Here is the full solution to NYT Strands #538 for August 23, 2025. The theme clue is below, along with the letter board. The spangram and all 7 theme words stay hidden until you tap Reveal — no accidental spoilers.

Theme“Rub it in, why don't you?”

The board

M
C
E
M
R
E
B
L
R
A
T
U
A
S
T
U
T
B
O
I
E
R
L
T
M
S
V
I
O
I
A
L
M
Z
N
O
R
U
L
E
R
S
S
E
Y
L
E
J

The answers

Spangram
SpangramMOISTURIZERS
Theme words (7)
BALM
BUTTER
CREAM
JELLY
LOTION
SALVE
SERUM
Spangram + 7 theme words · tap to show

Recent Strands answers

How to play Strands

Strands is the New York Times word-search puzzle. Every day you get a 6×8 grid of letters and a theme. Find all the theme words hidden in the grid — they can bend in any direction — and the one spangram, a longer word or phrase that touches two opposite sides and sums up the theme. Drag across letters to select a word; a correct theme word turns blue and the spangram turns yellow. Stuck? Every three non-theme words you find unlocks a hint.

Strands is a free daily word game from The New York Times, alongside Wordle, Connections and the Spelling Bee. Play it in the NYT Games app or on the web. This is an independent reference — not affiliated with The New York Times — that keeps a searchable record of every day’s theme, spangram and words.