Issue #840 Sun 28 Sep
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — September 28, 2025
A steady climb today, with groups that demand careful sorting to separate the literal from the figurative. Keep an eye on your initial placements, as a few items could easily drift into the wrong column.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A sturdy fence around the garden, or the heavy coat you reach for when the temperature drops.
Security and defense concepts
Synonyms for a common defensive function
Members are 5–10 letters; first letters A, G, P, S.
BACKING
One is AEGIS.
AEGIS · GUARD · PROTECTION · SHIELD
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A suspicious pop-up window, or the file you know you should not have clicked on.
Computer security threats
Specific types of digital hazards
Members are 4–12 letters; first letters B, T, V, W.
MALICIOUS SOFTWARE
One is BACKDOOR.
BACKDOOR · TROJAN HORSE · VIRUS · WORM
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The crinkle of a foil wrapper in your pocket, or the quick purchase at the checkout counter.
Common consumer brands
Proper nouns sharing a specific retail market
Members are 5–12 letters; first letters E, I, O, T.
GUM BRANDS
One is EXTRA.
EXTRA · ICE BREAKERS · ORBIT · TRIDENT
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The shape on the side of a helmet, or the iconic symbol painted on the fifty-yard line.
Professional sports iconography
Visual representations of team identities
Members are 7–14 letters; first letters B, F, H, L.
N.F.L. TEAM LOGOS
One is BUFFALO.
BUFFALO · FLEUR-DE-LIS · HORSESHOE · LIGHTNING BOLT
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
BACKINGAEGIS · GUARD · PROTECTION · SHIELD
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Reveal the green group
MALICIOUS SOFTWAREBACKDOOR · TROJAN HORSE · VIRUS · WORM
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Reveal the blue group
GUM BRANDSEXTRA · ICE BREAKERS · ORBIT · TRIDENT
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Reveal the violet group
N.F.L. TEAM LOGOSBUFFALO · FLEUR-DE-LIS · HORSESHOE · LIGHTNING BOLT
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on September 28, 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 28, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on September 28, 2025?
NYT Connections on September 28, 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 28, 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 #840?
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