Issue #696 Wed 7 May
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — May 7, 2025
A steady grid today with a clear split between literal definitions and phonetic wordplay. Expect to move between two straightforward sections and a pair of trickier linguistic traps.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The physical therapy office, a cast slowly coming off, and the long wait for the skin to look like itself again.
Biological processes
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters H, K, M, R.
GET BETTER, AS A BROKEN BONE
One is HEAL.
HEAL · KNIT · MEND · RECOVER
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The small pile of papers left on your desk after you have sorted the main stack into the recycling bin.
Logical exclusion
Synonyms for exclusion
Members are 3–7 letters; first letters B, E, S.
NOT INCLUDING
One is BESIDES.
BESIDES · BUT · EXCEPT · SAVE
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A deck of cards spread across a velvet cloth, waiting for a reading in a dimly lit room.
Divination tools
Categorical set members
Members are 4–9 letters; first letters C, P, S, W.
TAROT MINOR ARCANA SUITS
One is CUPS.
CUPS · PENTACLES · SWORDS · WANDS
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A jewelry store display case viewed through a glass that vibrates with the low hum of the street.
Phonetic wordplay
Homophones
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, O, P, Q.
HOMOPHONES OF GEMSTONES
One is CHORAL.
CHORAL · OPEL · PURL · QUARTS
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
GET BETTER, AS A BROKEN BONEHEAL · KNIT · MEND · RECOVER
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Reveal the green group
NOT INCLUDINGBESIDES · BUT · EXCEPT · SAVE
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Reveal the blue group
TAROT MINOR ARCANA SUITSCUPS · PENTACLES · SWORDS · WANDS
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Reveal the violet group
HOMOPHONES OF GEMSTONESCHORAL · OPEL · PURL · QUARTS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on May 7, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for May 7, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on May 7, 2025?
NYT Connections on May 7, 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 May 7, 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 #696?
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