NYT Connections asks players to organize 16 words into four groups of four based on shared ideas or associations. For 19 December 2025, the grid mixed practical, real-world concepts with more conceptual links, creating a puzzle that felt approachable at first but required careful thought. Below, you’ll find spoiler-free hints followed by the full solutions.
NYT Connections puzzle overview: 19 December 2025
Today’s grid leaned on clear themes rather than heavy wordplay, but a few overlaps made things tricky. Some categories felt instantly recognizable, while others depended on noticing subtle meanings or alternative spellings. Many solvers likely breezed through one or two groups before slowing down to untangle the rest.

NYT Connections hints: 19 December 2025
Category 1:
- Think about everyday choices made at the end of the day
- All four relate to food or meals
- These are alternatives rather than ingredients
- You might debate these options with family or roommates
Category 2:
- All relate to knowledge or discovery
- Often used in reports or investigations
- Each refers to something learned or uncovered
- Common in academic or professional settings
Category 3:
- All are tied to the U.S. government
- Each represents a major federal division
- They are led by secretaries
- You’d hear them mentioned in political news
Category 4:
- These sound like something else entirely
- Spelling matters here
- Each is a spoken twin of a nautical term
- Think about ships and where they stop
NYT Connections answers: 19 December 2025
Here are the answers, grouped by category.
Category 1: Dinner options

Category 2: Findings

Category 3: U.S. cabinet departments

Category 4: Homophones of places to park a ship

Conclusion & quick strategy tip
The 19 December 2025 Connections puzzle balanced straightforward themes with a clever homophone twist, making it satisfying without feeling overwhelming. Quick strategy tip: lock in the most obvious category first to reduce noise and reveal trickier connections faster.
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