NYT Connections Hints and Answers for December 18, 2025, #921

Ah, Thursday – the day that sits comfortably between the chaos of mid-week and the anticipation of the weekend. Today, as I grabbed my lunch leftovers from the fridge, I discovered a forgotten container that had transformed into a mini science experiment. Note to self: label containers properly to avoid any more surprises!

The sun is shining brightly today, casting a warm glow over the city streets as I make my way to the office. It's the kind of weather that almost makes you forget it's December. Almost. The brisk 43-degree air serves as a gentle reminder that winter is indeed upon us.

As you dive into today's "Connections" puzzle, remember to scan for loose synonyms and keep an eye out for cross-category decoys. The color tiers may guide you through the maze of interconnected words, leading you to the ultimate solution. And here's a question to ponder: can you unravel the web of connections before the clock strikes five?

So, dear solver, are you ready to put your word wizardry to the test? Whether you're a seasoned puzzler or a newbie looking for a brain teaser, this is your invitation to join in on the fun. Feel free to reveal hints or jump right in – the puzzle awaits!

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