NYT Connections asks solvers to sort 16 words into four related groups of four. On 9 December 2025, the puzzle blended literal categories, pop-culture nods and clever soundplay. Some groups were picture-friendly, others hinged on homophones. Below you’ll find fresh hints for each group, then the full grouped answers.

NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 9 December 2025

Today’s grid offered a pleasing mix: an obvious biological grouping, a set of verbs tied to tallying or inclusion, whimsical rainbow- and fantasy-linked entries, and a clever batch that depends on number-sound homophones. Solvers who alternated fast pattern spotting with aural checks (say the words aloud) had an edge.

NYT Connections Hints: 9 December 2025

Category 1:
  • Look for animals commonly described by repeating bands or stripes.
  • One is a marine species with bold orange-and-white patterning.
  • Another is a big cat known for vertical black bands.
  • The fourth is an insect famous for yellow-and-black markings.
Category 2:
  • These are verbs you might use when weighing options or totaling items.
  • One means to add up quantities.
  • Another is a common synonym for 'take into account.'
  • One often appears when you list things that are part of a whole.
Category 3:
  • Think symbols, characters or figures often linked to rainbows or colorfulness.
  • One is a single-horned mythical creature.
  • One is a Kansas heroine from a well-known musical/novel.
  • One is a folkloric figure associated with luck and rainbows.
Category 4:
  • Each entry begins with a syllable that sounds like a number.
  • Say the words aloud — the opening sound hides the numeral.
  • One starts with a syllable that sounds like "two."
  • Another begins with a sound matching "one" or "five."

NYT Connections Answers: 9 December 2025

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

Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip

This puzzle combined approachable, literal groupings with a playful homophone set that required you to listen as well as read — overall a moderate, satisfying challenge. Quick strategy tip: when patterns feel phonetic, say candidate words out loud; spoken sounds often reveal homophone groups faster than reading alone.