NYT Connections Hints and Answers for December 11, 2025, #914

Ah, Thursday, the day that's like a cozy sweater you forgot you had, tucked away in the back of your closet. You know, the one you rediscover and wonder why you ever stopped wearing it? That's how I feel about Thursdays – familiar, comforting, and just the right amount of excitement for what's to come.

Speaking of surprises, today I had a mix-up that turned out to be a happy accident. I mistook a yellow banana for a green one this morning, only to realize it was perfectly ripe and ready to eat. It got me thinking about how things aren't always what they seem at first glance, much like the colorful tiers in today's puzzle. So, keep an open mind and don't be fooled by appearances!

As you delve into the grid today, remember to scan for loose synonyms and watch out for those clever decoys that might lead you astray. It's all about making connections and seeing beyond the surface to uncover the hidden patterns. And hey, if you get stuck, don't hesitate to reveal a hint or two – we're all in this together!

So, grab a cup of coffee, bask in the sunny weather, and let's tackle this puzzle with a sense of curiosity and a sprinkle of determination. Who knows what delightful surprises await us today? Let's find out together!

How to Play NYT Connections

Overview

Connections is a daily word puzzle game from The New York Times. The goal is to find groups of four words that share something in common. You’re presented with 16 words arranged in a 4×4 grid, and you must identify four groups of four related words.

Basic Rules

• You have 16 words total, arranged in a 4×4 grid
• There are exactly 4 groups of 4 related words each
• Each word belongs to exactly one group
• You must find all four groups to complete the puzzle
• You have 4 mistakes allowed before the game ends

How to Play

• Look at all 16 words and try to identify patterns or connections
• Select 4 words you think belong together by clicking/tapping them
• Click “Submit” to check if your group is correct
• If correct, those 4 words will be removed and grouped together
• If incorrect, you lose one of your 4 allowed mistakes
• Continue until you find all 4 groups or run out of mistakes

Difficulty Levels

The four groups are color-coded by difficulty:

• 🟨 YELLOW: Easiest – usually straightforward categories
• 🟩 GREEN: Easy-Medium – slightly more complex connections
• 🟦 BLUE: Medium-Hard – trickier associations or wordplay
• 🟪 PURPLE: Hardest – often involves puns, multiple meanings, or very subtle connections

Strategy Tips

• Start with the most obvious connections first
• Be careful of red herrings – words that seem to fit multiple categories
• If you’re unsure, try to eliminate what doesn’t belong first
• The purple group often involves wordplay, homophones, or very creative connections
• Don’t guess randomly – you only have 4 mistakes

Scoring

• Complete the puzzle to see your results
• Mistakes are tracked but don’t affect your final score
• Share your results with friends using the share button
• Results show how many mistakes you made for each group