August 9, 2026#889archive
NYT Strands — August 9, 2026
Hints — one at a time
Hint 1 of 5
Today's grid is about treating yourself — a bit of self-justified excess.
Hint 2 of 5
Every answer names something people indulge in when they're spoiling themselves rather than being strictly practical.
Hint 3 of 5
The spangram is the justification itself: a nine-letter phrase people say to excuse a splurge.
Hint 4 of 5
The theme words include a needless extra flourish, spoiling yourself with something special, giving in to a want rather than a need, opulent living, and pure over-the-top spending.
Hint 5 of 5
Look for EXTRAVAGANCE, FRILLS, INDULGENCE, LUXURY and TREAT — all spanned by IMWORTHIT.
The answer — spoilers!
Reveal the full answer
Isn't that a bit much?
IMWORTHIT
EXTRAVAGANCE · FRILLS · INDULGENCE · LUXURY · TREAT
This puzzle by the numbers
- 9 letters
- 5
Counted from our own archive of NYT Strands answers — not published anywhere else.
