NYT Connections Hints and Answers for December 31, 2025, #934

Happy Wednesday, puzzle pals! As I sipped my morning coffee today, I couldn't help but draw a parallel between my daily routine and the art of solving a good puzzle. Just like how I methodically tackle my to-do list, I approach each puzzle with a mix of strategy and patience. It's all about finding the right pieces to unlock the bigger picture, isn't it?

Speaking of puzzles, today's "Connections" challenge is a delightful mix of colors and themes. As you dive in, remember to keep an eye out for those sneaky decoys that might lead you astray. Scan for synonyms, watch out for those cross-category traps, and you'll be cruising through those yellow, green, blue, and purple tiers in no time.

So, why not take a break from your daily grind and join me in the world of puzzles? Whether you're a seasoned solver or just starting out, there's always something new to discover. Need a hint or just want to jump in and play? The puzzle pieces are waiting – let's dive in 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 4ร—4 grid, and you must identify four groups of four related words.

Basic Rules

  • You have 16 words total, arranged in a 4ร—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:

  • ๐ŸŸจ YELLOW: Easiest – usually straightforward categories
  • ๐ŸŸฉ GREEN: Easy-Medium – slightly more complex connections
  • ๐ŸŸฆ BLUE: Medium-Hard – trickier associations or wordplay
  • ๐ŸŸช 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
๐ŸŸจ easy
Reveal Hint

Celebratory items

Reveal Answer

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

  • BALL DROP
  • CHAMPAGNE FLUTE
  • FIREWORKS
  • NOISEMAKER
๐ŸŸฉ medium
Reveal Hint

Mysterious locations

Reveal Answer

PLACES WHERE THINGS DISAPPEAR

  • BERMUDA TRIANGLE
  • BLACK HOLE
  • COUCH CUSHIONS
  • DRYER
๐ŸŸฆ hard
Reveal Hint

Symbols of a city

Reveal Answer

ASSOCIATED WITH PHILADELPHIA

  • BROTHERLY LOVE
  • CHEESESTEAK
  • LIBERTY BELL
  • ROCKY
๐ŸŸช tricky
Reveal Hint

Water-related actions or items

Reveal Answer

STARTING WITH BODIES OF WATER

  • BAY LEAF
  • CHANNEL SURF
  • SEA BASS
  • SOUND BARRIER