The NYT Connections puzzle leaned heavily into language you already know — everyday words that suddenly clicked once grouped correctly. From common card types to subtle expressions and bursts of intensity, this grid rewarded calm sorting and resisting overthinking. If it felt straightforward after one good lock-in, that’s because it was designed that way.
NYT Connections puzzle overview: 22 December 2025
Today’s grid felt balanced but sneaky. A couple of categories jumped out quickly thanks to clear definitions, while the trickiest group relied on completing a shared phrase. Overall, it rewarded solvers who tested multiple interpretations before locking anything in.
🟨 Cards
PLAYING, BUSINESS, GREETING, MEMBERSHIP
All four words pair naturally with card. Whether you’re shuffling a deck, exchanging contact info, sending a message, or carrying a wallet staple, this category was about familiar compound phrases hiding in plain sight.
🟩 Future
LATER, FUTURE, COMING, FOLLOWING
This group revolved around time yet to arrive. Each word points ahead — sometimes vaguely, sometimes directly — but always with a sense of what’s next rather than what’s now.
🟦 Sudden Intensity
RUSH, SURGE, WAVE, RASH
These words describe something that hits quickly and forcefully. Whether emotional, physical, or metaphorical, each captures that overwhelming moment when intensity spikes without warning.
🟪 Idiomatic / Informal Expressions
PIN, WHIT, BROW, CYA
The trickiest group of the day, this set relied on informal or idiomatic usage. These words often appear in phrases or shorthand expressions rather than standing alone, making them easy to miss unless you thought conversationally.
✨ Conclusion
October 22’s puzzle was a reminder that Connections doesn’t always need obscure vocabulary to challenge you — sometimes it’s the most familiar words that hide the cleverest groupings. Once one category snapped into place, the rest followed smoothly, making this a satisfying and confidence-boosting solve.
If today felt quick, enjoy it — tomorrow will surely bring another twist.
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