The New York Times Connections puzzle tasks players with sorting 16 seemingly unrelated words into four groups of four. Each group shares a hidden connection. Today’s grid blended fairy tales, pronunciation quirks, and expressive language, making it feel approachable at first glance but surprisingly tricky. Below, you’ll find subtle hints to guide you—followed by the full answers once you’re ready.
NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 14 December 2025
Today’s Connections grid leaned heavily on word associations that reward lateral thinking. Some categories felt instantly familiar, while others required stepping back and reconsidering how words sound or are commonly used. The balance between pop culture, language mechanics, and expressive verbs made this a satisfying puzzle once the patterns clicked.
NYT Connections Hints: 14 December 2025
Category 1:
- Think about over-the-top compliments
- Words linked to enthusiastic approval
- Often used when admiration goes a bit far
- Related to expressive praise
Category 2:
- Characters rooted in classic literature
- Tied to a single famous author
- Often encountered in childhood stories
- Fairy tale connections abound
Category 3:
- Focus on pronunciation, not meaning
- A letter you see but don’t hear
- Common examples from everyday English
- Silent but important
Category 4:
- Famous animal characters
- All share the same species
- Appear in books, movies, or cartoons
- Fictional but widely recognized
NYT Connections Answers: 14 December 2025
Here are the answers, grouped by category:
Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:
Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip
The 14 December 2025 Connections puzzle mixed literary knowledge with linguistic awareness, making it rewarding once solved. Quick strategy tip: if words don’t fit semantically, try saying them aloud—pronunciation-based categories often hide in plain sight.
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