New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared meanings, familiar forms, character names, and a shared action.
NYT Connections #1232 Puzzle Overview: 25 October 2026
PALM, SHELL, and SWIFT each have more than one meaning. Check that all four words fit the same connection before submitting a group.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: GLOW STICK, WAGON WHEEL, POCKET, FOOTBALL, THUMB, ELBOW, SWIFT, FINGERS, SHELL, PALM, RUBBER BAND, BOW TIE, SAWYER, SWIPE, RIPLEY, BOOST.
NYT Connections Hints: 25 October 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about taking something without permission.
- Each can be a verb for taking something that belongs to someone else.
Step 2 · one word
BOOST
Step 3 · category
STEAL
Step 4 · all four words
BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about food.
- These forms appear in the same Italian staple.
Step 2 · one word
BOW TIE
Step 3 · category
PASTA SHAPES
Step 4 · all four words
BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about characters from stories.
- Each character has the same first name.
Step 2 · one word
RIPLEY
Step 3 · category
FICTIONAL TOMS
Step 4 · all four words
RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about a sudden action.
- The same verb applies to making a sound, starting a play, activating a light, or breaking something.
Step 2 · one word
FINGERS
Step 3 · category
THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED
Step 4 · all four words
FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND
NYT Connections Answers: 25 October 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
THUMB can suggest THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED because the body part helps snap FINGERS. Here, it belongs in FICTIONAL TOMS: Tom THUMB. The other names are Tom RIPLEY, Tom SAWYER, and Tom SWIFT.
The snapping group uses several senses of the verb. FINGERS snap to make a sound, and a FOOTBALL is snapped to begin a play. A GLOW STICK is snapped to activate its light, while a RUBBER BAND can snap when stretched until it breaks.
Yesterday’s groups for 24 October 2026
- KINDS OF STRIPS: BACON, COMIC, FILM, MÖBIUS
- THINGS ON STICKS: HOBBY HORSE, PINWHEEL, POPSICLE, SPARKLER
- ONLINE AD FORMATS: BANNER, INTERSTITIAL, OVERLAY, POP-UP
- ___ BAR: CANDY, SALAD, SPACE, SPORTS
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 24 Oct · 23 Oct · 22 Oct · 21 Oct · 20 Oct · 19 Oct · 18 Oct
Questions about Connections
When does Connections change to a new puzzle?
A new puzzle arrives at midnight in the player’s own time zone.
How many tries does a player get in Connections?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections?
Play on The New York Times Games site or in the NYT Games app: Connections.
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