Today’s  NYT Connections puzzle grid is snackable and satisfying — four tidy groups that reward quick pattern-spotting and a little lateral thinking. You’ve got cheerful synonyms, words for winnings, Olympic equipment, and a fill-in “___ bag” set that’s pure phrase comfort. Spot a single strong member and let momentum carry you to the finish. Go get that green.

NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 23 October 2025

NYT Connections Hints: 23 October 2025

Category 1:
  • An old-fashioned compliment — “That’s ___!”
  • A playful adjective meaning superb or delightful.
  • Short and breezy: the opposite of rotten.
  • A cheerful word you might hear in vintage comedies.
Category 2:
  • Informal word for the pool of money players compete for.
  • The word for the jackpot in a poker hand.
  • Something you win — the thing awarded to a contest victor.
  • A purse or container for money, often used in idioms.
Category 3:
  • The small, hard thing slid across the curling sheet.
  • The puck’s icy cousin — needed for ice hockey.
  • A feathered projectile in badminton — also called a shuttlecock.
  • The spherical object used in team ball sports and dozens of Olympic events.
Category 4:
  • What the restaurant hands you when you can’t finish your meal.
  • A grab-and-go emergency kit people keep for disasters.
  • A phrase meaning a mix of different types — a little bit of everything.
  • A trendy swag sack given out at events and launches.

NYT Connections Answers: 23 October 2025

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

Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip

Today’s puzzle rewards both vocabulary and phrase intuition — bright synonyms, gambling/contest language, tactile sports gear, and familiar compound phrases.

Lock in the peachy synonyms or the “___ bag” fill-ins first — they’re fast wins. The winnings words pop once you think of money pools and prizes. The Olympic equipment set clicks when you picture winter and summer events together. Finish with confidence and enjoy that smug little victory dance when the board goes green.