New Delhi, July 23 -- The NYT Strands answer for today, July 23, 2026 (puzzle #872), is built around the theme "Ranks in the fleet." The spangram is NAVY RANKS. The five theme words are listed below, with hints first for players still solving.

Hints for NYT Strands #872

Hint 1: Think of a chain of command on a ship rather than a battlefield.

Hint 2: One of the words describes someone just starting out; another describes someone at the very top.

Hint 3: The spangram tells you exactly what all the theme words have in common.

NYT Strands #872 Full Answer

Theme: "Ranks in the fleet"

Spangram: NAVY RANKS

Theme Words: ADMIRAL, COMMANDER, ENSIGN, LIEUTENANT, RECRUIT

All five words are commissioned or entry-level designations in a naval ...