Issue #821 Tue 9 Sep
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — September 9, 2025
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for nuance, as several groups rely on common phrasing rather than direct definition. A patient approach to the overlaps will serve you well.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
Closing the laptop, tossing the pen on the desk, and walking out of the office for the final time.
States of completion
Synonyms
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters C, D, O, T.
FINISHED
One is COMPLETE.
COMPLETE · DONE · OVER · THROUGH
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The crunch of a garden path or the remnants left on a plate after a busy lunch.
Natural and culinary vessels
Shared physical characteristics
Members are 3–9 letters; first letters E, H, M, S.
THINGS WITH SHELLS
One is EGG.
EGG · HARD TACO · M&M · SNAIL
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The cooling glass on a bar top after a long shift.
Actions associated with rapid consumption
Synonyms
Members are 4 letters each; first letters B, G, S.
SWIG
One is BELT.
BELT · GULP · SHOT · SLUG
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The quiet presence waiting in the hallway or by the fireplace.
Compound word components
Word formation by suffix
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters B, L, U, W.
___DOG
One is BULL.
BULL · LAP · UNDER · WATCH
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
FINISHEDCOMPLETE · DONE · OVER · THROUGH
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Reveal the green group
THINGS WITH SHELLSEGG · HARD TACO · M&M · SNAIL
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Reveal the blue group
SWIGBELT · GULP · SHOT · SLUG
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Reveal the violet group
___DOGBULL · LAP · UNDER · WATCH
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on September 9, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for September 9, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on September 9, 2025?
NYT Connections on September 9, 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 September 9, 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 #821?
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