The NYT Connections puzzle for 10 December 2025 presented sixteen words to be sorted into four groups of four. Today’s mix leaned on plain-language synonyms, candy vocabulary, imitation words, and a clever set tied to different senses of the letter Y. Below you’ll find gentle hints and the full grouped answers.

NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 10 December 2025

Today’s grid favored straightforward associations: two groups built from obvious synonym sets, one from sweet-related terms, and one that played on grammar/letter meanings. Solvers who scanned for theme words and homophone-like cues moved fastest.

NYT Connections Hints: 10 December 2025

Category 1:
  • Formal exclamation often used in mild surprise.
  • Appears in polite invocations and small prayers.
  • A two-syllable word you might see before a plea.
  • Often paired in phrases like “oh ___!”
Category 2:
  • Short words meaning “not genuine.”
  • Common in product descriptions that warn of fraud.
  • Often used as verbs and nouns (to imitate or an imitation).
  • Think of counterfeit or knockoff synonyms.
Category 3:
  • All things people eat for a quick sweet fix.
  • Words you might see on a candy shop sign.
  • Includes both British and American short forms.
  • Think sugary treats you hand out on holidays.
Category 4:
  • Words showing different uses of the letter Y.
  • A question word, an affirmative, a color, and a time unit.
  • Mix of single-syllable and two-syllable entries.
  • Think of words that begin with the Y sound or letter.

NYT Connections Answers: 10 December 2025

Here are the answers, grouped by category.

Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:

Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip

Today’s puzzle was satisfying for players who spot synonym clusters quickly and pause to consider playful word-angle groups. The candy set was the most literal; the Y-group required thinking about multiple meanings.

Quick strategy tip: scan for obvious synonym clusters first, then use leftover unusual words to identify the trickier themed group.