Issue #889 Sun 16 Nov
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — November 16, 2025
A tidy grid today, offering a few clear paths through the wordplay before the later groups demand a more patient, deliberate sorting process.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
You write a thesis, consult a mentor, or draft a plan before the project even starts.
Academic and professional discourse
Synonyms for a structured way of doing
Members are 6–10 letters; first letters A, M, P, S.
TECHNIQUE
One is APPROACH.
APPROACH · METHOD · PHILOSOPHY · SCHOOL
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The repetitive, uninspired rhythm of a Tuesday morning commute.
General descriptors
Synonyms for lack of distinction
Members are 5–10 letters; first letters B, E, H, P.
RUN-OF-THE-MILL
One is BANAL.
BANAL · EVERYDAY · HUMDRUM · PEDESTRIAN
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Look at a high-contrast pattern on a sweater or the side of a shipping box.
Visual patterns
Items characterized by repeating lines
Members are 5–11 letters; first letters B, I, R, Z.
STRIPY THINGS
One is BARCODE.
BARCODE · IBM LOGO · RUGBY SHIRT · ZEBRA
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
You land on a corner square and reach for the stack of colorful paper money.
Board game terminology
Words found on a specific game board
Members are 3–8 letters; first letters A, P, R, T.
WORDS ON MONOPOLY SQUARES
One is AVENUE.
AVENUE · PARKING · RAILROAD · TAX
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
TECHNIQUEAPPROACH · METHOD · PHILOSOPHY · SCHOOL
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Reveal the green group
RUN-OF-THE-MILLBANAL · EVERYDAY · HUMDRUM · PEDESTRIAN
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Reveal the blue group
STRIPY THINGSBARCODE · IBM LOGO · RUGBY SHIRT · ZEBRA
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Reveal the violet group
WORDS ON MONOPOLY SQUARESAVENUE · PARKING · RAILROAD · TAX
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on November 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 November 16, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on November 16, 2025?
NYT Connections on November 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 November 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 #889?
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