Issue #868 Sun 26 Oct
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — October 26, 2025
Today's grid offers a steady progression, balancing two straightforward groupings against a pair of sets that require a more careful eye for linguistic structure.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The rosin on the floor, the heavy velvet curtain, and the silence before the conductor raises a baton.
Orchestral classification
Shared taxonomy
Members are 4–10 letters; first letters B, P, S, W.
KINDS OF INSTRUMENTS
One is BRASS.
BRASS · PERCUSSION · STRING · WIND
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A punch thrown in a ring, a quick movement in the grass, and the rhythm of a legendary heavyweight.
Pop culture quotations
Component parts of a phrase
Members are 3–9 letters; first letters B, F, S.
WORDS IN A FAMOUS MUHAMMAD ALI QUOTE
One is BEE.
BEE · BUTTERFLY · FLOAT · STING
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A sash pinned to a dress, a trophy on a mantle, and the nerves behind a high-stakes decision.
Competitive events
Shared classification
Members are 6–10 letters; first letters B, P, S, T.
KINDS OF CONTESTS
One is BEAUTY.
BEAUTY · POPULARITY · STARING · TALENT
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The smallness of a teacup, a tiny puddle after a storm, or a name that sounds like a miniature version of the original.
Linguistic morphology
Words sharing a specific suffix
Members are 5–11 letters; first letters D, K, S.
WORDS WITH DIMINUTIVE SUFFIXES
One is DOGGY.
DOGGY · DROPLET · KITCHENETTE · STARLING
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
KINDS OF INSTRUMENTSBRASS · PERCUSSION · STRING · WIND
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Reveal the green group
WORDS IN A FAMOUS MUHAMMAD ALI QUOTEBEE · BUTTERFLY · FLOAT · STING
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Reveal the blue group
KINDS OF CONTESTSBEAUTY · POPULARITY · STARING · TALENT
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Reveal the violet group
WORDS WITH DIMINUTIVE SUFFIXESDOGGY · DROPLET · KITCHENETTE · STARLING
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on October 26, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for October 26, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on October 26, 2025?
NYT Connections on October 26, 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 October 26, 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 #868?
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