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NYT Daily • August 22, 2025

Buff

Answer:

TONED

Hint:

Think of how muscles look after consistent workouts but before becoming overly bulky.

Explanation:

"Buff" can mean muscular or in good physical shape, which directly points to "toned" as a synonym. The clue plays on fitness terminology, where both words describe someone with well-defined muscles. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay—just a common phrase swapped for another with the same meaning.

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