Issue #828 Tue 16 Sep
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — September 16, 2025
A grid of steady rhythm, balancing straightforward synonyms against a few lateral associations that demand a second look. The layout rewards a methodical approach to sorting the obvious from the slightly obscured.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A security guard leaning into the grainy feed of a late-night lobby, or a researcher pinning a map to a corkboard.
Active observation and oversight
Direct synonyms
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters F, M, T, W.
KEEP TABS ON
One is FOLLOW.
FOLLOW · MONITOR · TRACK · WATCH
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The box of twelve pulled from the shelf, or a single seat at a round table where everyone shares a common denominator.
Common groupings of twelve
Contextual association
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters D, J, M, R.
ONE IN A DOZEN
One is DONUT.
DONUT · JUROR · MONTH · ROSE
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A smudge on the fingertip after a long day at the desk, or the dark cloud left behind in the water.
Sources and agents of pigmentation
Commonly shared attribute
Members are 3–14 letters; first letters P, S, T.
THINGS WITH INK
One is PEN.
PEN · PRINTER · SQUID · TATTOO MACHINE
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A cartoon character in a pinstripe suit, or a storybook creature waiting in a dusty library.
Pop culture and literature
Word completion
Members are 4–9 letters; first letters R, T, V, W.
___ RABBIT
One is ROGER.
ROGER · TRIX · VELVETEEN · WHITE
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
KEEP TABS ONFOLLOW · MONITOR · TRACK · WATCH
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Reveal the green group
ONE IN A DOZENDONUT · JUROR · MONTH · ROSE
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Reveal the blue group
THINGS WITH INKPEN · PRINTER · SQUID · TATTOO MACHINE
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Reveal the violet group
___ RABBITROGER · TRIX · VELVETEEN · WHITE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on September 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 September 16, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on September 16, 2025?
NYT Connections on September 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 September 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 #828?
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