NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle by The New York Times, which invites players to enrich their vocabulary by connecting words with common themes. In this game, participants arrange 16 words into four groups of four, unveiling hidden links. The game, released on PC in June 2023, has become incredibly popular, second only to Wordle on the NYT platform. This article serves as a guide, offering tips, hints, and solutions to the September 11, 2025, edition.
The core of the Connections experience is its emphasis on vocabulary expansion. The puzzle, conceived by Wyna Liu of The New York Times, presents 16 random words, which players must sort into predetermined categories. With options for Easy, Medium, and Hard levels, the game offers a rewarding way to boost word knowledge and sharpen cognitive abilities. The success and challenges of players are often shared on social media.
Hints to tackle the September 11, 2025, puzzle include identifying words related to small marks, huge things, impolite actions, and baseball field elements. The puzzle’s categories are: Yellow – BLEMISH; Green – BEHEMOTH; Blue – RUDE THINGS TO DO; Purple – ON A BASEBALL FIELD. The answers are: Yellow – DENT, DING, MAR, SCRATCH; Green – COLOSSUS, MAMMOTH, WHALE, WHOPPER; Blue – POINT, SNICKER, STARE, WHISPER; Purple – BASE, BOX, MOUND, PLATE.
Gameplay revolves around a grid of words, with the objective to find connections between them. Effective strategies involve exploring synonyms, antonyms, and word families to crack the puzzle. If players struggle, in-game hints are available. The game also allows users to track their progress and compete with others. New puzzles are released at midnight on the NYT website and app. The goal is to categorize 16 words into four groups, using the common threads that bind them. Players must be aware of words that could fit into multiple categories. The difficulty of each group is color-coded, with yellow being easiest, blue and green in the middle, and purple the hardest. Mistakes deduct lives, and after four errors, the game is over.