Today’s NYT Connections puzzle served up a delightful mix of sweetness, sass, and sea life — a playful balance between comfort and challenge that kept solvers nibbling for more!

Let’s dive into today’s groups and uncover how the clues connected so cleverly.

NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 18 October 2025

NYT Connections Hints: 18 October 2025

Category 1:
  • You feel this when wind carries you gently along the surface.
  • A slow, effortless move along an edge — think shoreline.
  • To drift lightly across the surface of water or air.
  • To move smoothly on ice or a flat surface with ease.
Category 2:
  • A verb you dodge in gym class — and a whole game built on it.
  • A word meaning a part of the body that’s also a hand-game.
  • A backyard favorite that shares its name with a pickle.
  • The implement that pairs with “ball” in a racquet sport.
Category 3:
  • A name associated with indie notables and quirky roles.
  • A surname tied to early Hollywood and a modern franchise star.
  • A major action-movie leading man — think Cruise control.
  • A family name that’s starred in everything from blockbusters to dramas.
Category 4:
  • Sounds like the verb meaning to sell — but spelled like a small room.
  • A homophone of the word meaning to hawk goods aggressively.
  • Sounds like the verb meaning to peddle — but spelled like a bike part.
  • A past-tense soundalike for the verb meaning to trade.

NYT Connections Answers: 18 October 2025

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

Conclusion

Today’s grid rewards both sight (picture a skating glide or a racquet) and sound (say the homophones aloud). Two groups are visual and immediate, one rides pop-culture recognition, and the homophone set is the delightful ear test.

Lock in the glide or sports “ball” group first — they’re tactile and fast. The actor surnames are a quick nostalgia pop if a