Issue #585 Thu 16 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 16, 2025
A steady day for those who prefer direct associations over lateral leaps. The grid offers a balanced tempo, with clear demarcations between groups that keep the solve moving at a brisk, reliable pace.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
Handshakes in a lobby, the hum of a stock floor, or a ledger kept under a desk lamp.
Economic activity
Synonyms
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters B, C, M, T.
BUYING AND SELLING
One is BUSINESS.
BUSINESS · COMMERCE · MARKET · TRADE
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
Fumbling in the dark for a flick of the thumb or tracing a finger along the trim near the floorboards.
Interior fixtures
Shared functional location
Members are 6–9 letters; first letters B, O, S.
INSTALLED ON A WALL
One is BASEBOARD.
BASEBOARD · OUTLET · SCONCE · SWITCH
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A whisper in a crowded café, a package left on a bench, or a name changed for a new life.
Espionage
Synonyms
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters A, M, P.
SPY
One is AGENT.
AGENT · ASSET · MOLE · PLANT
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The persistent visitor in the cellar, the one who stays until the lights go out, or the individual who never leaves the desk.
Phrases with a suffix
Compound words
Members are 3–4 letters; first letters G, M, P, R.
___ RAT
One is GYM.
GYM · MALL · PACK · RUG
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
BUYING AND SELLINGBUSINESS · COMMERCE · MARKET · TRADE
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Reveal the green group
INSTALLED ON A WALLBASEBOARD · OUTLET · SCONCE · SWITCH
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Reveal the blue group
SPYAGENT · ASSET · MOLE · PLANT
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Reveal the violet group
___ RATGYM · MALL · PACK · RUG
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 16, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for January 16, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 16, 2025?
NYT Connections on January 16, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on January 16, 2025?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #585?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words