Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle: Hints, answers & strategy guide — Did you crack the code yet?

Good morning, puzzle lovers! Welcome back to another exciting edition of Connections Daily, where enthusiasts from across the globe gather to decode The New York Times’ most addictive word challenge — Connections.

If you haven’t played today’s puzzle yet, consider this your spoiler alert. Below, you’ll find hints, insights, and full answers for Connections No. 867 (October 25, 2025). Proceed with caution if you’d rather solve it solo before peeking at the clues.

About the NYT Connections Game

For the uninitiated, Connections challenges players to group 16 seemingly random words into four sets of four, based on shared meanings or themes. The color-coded categories — yellow (easy), green (medium), blue (tricky), and purple (hardest) — range from logical associations to unexpected wordplay that can stump even seasoned solvers.

You only get four chances before the game ends, so strategic thinking is key. And now, the game even has its own Connections Bot, allowing players to analyze their accuracy, streaks, and completion stats—just like the Wordle Bot.

Today’s Puzzle Difficulty

According to the NYT Games testers, today’s puzzle scored a 2.3 out of 5 on the difficulty scale — easier than average, but with a few clever twists that could trip you up.

Hints for October 25, 2025 (Puzzle No. 867)

To give your brain a gentle nudge, here are today’s clue categories without spilling the full answers—yet.

• 🟡 Yellow Group Hint: Think “rip-off” or “being deceived.”

  
  
  

• 🟢 Green Group Hint: It keeps you on time but doesn’t tick.

• 🔵 Blue Group Hint: To bestow or give something formally.

• 🟣 Purple Group Hint: Iconic names tied to Oscar-winning performances.

If those hints aren’t enough, scroll down for the full breakdown.

Full Answers for Today’s Connections Puzzle

🟡 Yellow Group — “Swindle”

• Fleece, Hose, Hustle, Shaft
  These words describe ways of deceiving or taking advantage of someone — a classic wordplay trap for those thinking too literally.

🟢 Green Group — “Digital Watch Features”

• Alarm, Date, Light, Stopwatch
  Everything your digital wristwatch or fitness tracker does daily.

🔵 Blue Group — “Confer”

• Accord, Award, Grant, Vest
  These words are connected by the idea of formally giving or assigning something — from honors to authority.

🟣 Purple Group — “Best Actor-Winning Biopics”

• Capote, Lincoln, Milk, Ray
  Each word references a biographical film that earned its lead actor an Oscar:

  • Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote

  • Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln

  • Sean Penn in Milk

  • Jamie Foxx in Ray

This final group is often the toughest—mixing names, history, and film trivia.

Player Observations

Some solvers have noted that “Milk” could easily have fit into the “Swindle” category (“to milk someone”), while others debated whether “Light” truly belongs under “digital watch features.” Still, that unpredictability is part of what keeps Connections so engaging—every misstep teaches you to think differently the next time.

How to Play Connections Like a Pro

• Start broad: Find the most obvious associations first (usually yellow).

• Eliminate distractions: Words that seem to fit multiple groups are usually meant to confuse you.

• Don’t rush: Connections rewards patience over guessing.

• Check your patterns: Look for hidden relationships—verb forms, movie titles, or cultural references.

FAQs

1. What time does NYT Connections go live each day?
It’s available at midnight local time, wherever you are.

2. Where can I play it?
Visit the New York Times Games website or download the NYT Games app.

3. How many mistakes can I make before losing?
You’re allowed four incorrect guesses before the puzzle locks.

4. Can I play past puzzles?
Yes — with a NYT Games subscription, you can access the full archive of previous Connections challenges.

5. What was the toughest Connections puzzle so far?
Many players cite Puzzle #5, which included the category “things you can set” — a real brain-teaser for first-timers.