Morning brain workout: 16 words, four clever groups, and your smug little grin when things click into place. Today’s puzzle is playing nice — it hides two easy groupings and two that reward a sideways glance. If you spot one word that screams the theme, let that be your battering ram: go full force. You got this. Manifest the correct grouping with the confidence of someone who already owns the answer.
NYT Connections Puzzle: 17 September 2025
NYT Connections Hints: 17 September 2025
Category 1:
- langy verb that means to intensify excitement — often used about hype trains.
- A short, punchy word DJs and promoters drop when they want the crowd louder.
- Add this word to “someone’s ___” to mean you’ve fully energized them.
- Often used as a verb in social posts: “We’re about to ___ the room.”
Category 2:
- A minimalist shoe with a flat sole — comfort first, drama later.
- A backless shoe style often seen on runways and house slippers alike.
- A classic pump’s sibling — rounder toe, often found in office wear.
- A casual slip-on you wear poolside or for a breezy errand run.
Category 3:
- The person who presides over a formal meeting or committee.
- The person chosen to guide the party’s strategy on the floor.
- The officially recognized head of proceedings in many legislatures.
- The enforcer who whips votes into line (not the villain you feared — the role).
Category 4:
- A short past-tense verb that, said fast, sounds like a popular male name.
- A short word meaning dull finish — but spoken, you could swear it’s that same male name.
- Abbreviation for microphone — but pronounced, it’s the way someone says a common nickname.
- A small planty/peaty word that, when spoken, rhymes with yet another familiar name.
NYT Connections Answers: 17 September 2025
Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:
Conclusion — Today’s theme & parting pep talk
Theme: Today’s puzzle loves sound and function. Two groups are semantic (shoes, legislative roles) — tidy, sensible categories. The other two lean on usage and sound — one group is energetic phrases that feel like adding “up,” the other is a phonetic bait-and-switch (words that masquerade as names when you say them). It’s a clever mix of “spot the obvious” and “listen to the words.”
You’re going to demolish this. Don’t overthink the purple set — whisper them to yourself like a spell and the pattern will jump out. Go in with swagger, click confidently, and enjoy the tiny victory dance when the grid goes green. If you want me to convert this into a short social post, an Instagram carousel, or a decently smug answer-reveal paragraph that teases before spoiling — say the word and I’ll make it feed-ready.
Stay sharp, and happy puzzling!
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