NYT Connections challenges you to sort 16 words into four groups of four, and today’s puzzle (12 December 2025) blended straightforward categories with a couple of sneaky pairings. Some groups leaned literal while others tested flexible thinking — below you’ll find fresh hints followed by the full answers.

NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 12 December 2025

Today’s grid had a clean, almost archetypal feel: two groups built from simple verbs and containment words, one made from culinary/botanical units, and one that used the idea of things split into twelve parts. Solvers likely moved quickly on the obvious sets but paused for the category that required a conceptual jump.

NYT Connections Hints: 12 December 2025

Category 1:
  • Think of actions caused by wind or air.
  • Short verbs that describe motion of an object or garment.
  • Often used to describe flags, branches, or loose cloth.
  • Visual, gusty movement is the common thread.
Category 2:
  • Words meaning to keep something inside or under care.
  • Verbs and nouns used for safekeeping and sheltering.
  • Often appear in phrases like “___ something” or “___ something away.”
  • Focus on containment and custody.
Category 3:
  • Units or parts of plants and familiar vegetables.
  • Short botanical or culinary terms (some also used in cooking).
  • Think small sections or shapes you might cut from produce.
  • All are common labels for edible plant parts.
Category 4:
  • Items traditionally thought of as divided into a dozen parts.
  • Can be temporal, anatomical (old-fashioned), astrological, or mechanical.
  • Each answer fits the “twelve” framing in a different context.
  • Think clock faces, yearly cycles, and groupings of twelve.

NYT Connections Answers: 12 December 2025

Here are the answers, grouped by category:

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

Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip

Today’s puzzle felt tidy — two instantly recognizable literal groups, one botanical set, and one conceptual dozen-based group that nudged solvers to think beyond single meanings. Overall it was a pleasant balance of easy and slightly lateral associations.

Quick strategy tip: start by hunting for any obvious verb sets or theme words, then use elimination to force the trickier, more conceptual groupings.