Issue #969 Wed 24 Dec
Connections hints — December 24, 2025
Today's grid asks for a steady hand, balancing a pair of straightforward synonym sets against two groups that require a bit of linguistic adjustment. It is a patient sort of puzzle that rewards looking past the surface.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A trip to the ATM where the balance is low and the rent is due.
Colloquial finance
Direct synonyms
Members are 5–6 letters; first letters B, C, P.
SLANG FOR MONEY
One is BACON.
BACON · BREAD · CHEESE · PAPER
green group 7 nudges
Green group
A hard apple, a tough piece of steak, and the sound of someone eating too loudly in a library.
Physical actions
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters B, C, M.
MASTICATE
One is BITE.
BITE · CHAMP · CHEW · MUNCH
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
Looking at a menu in a coastal town and realizing you recognize the names from a biology textbook.
Marine biology
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters C, P, S, T.
FISH
One is CHAR.
CHAR · POLLOCK · SOLE · TANG
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
A choir practice where someone keeps adding a note that does not belong in the sheet music.
Wordplay group
Modified words
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters H, R, S, W.
WAYS TO VOCALIZE MUSICALLY PLUS A LETTER
One is HUMP.
HUMP · RAPT · SINGE · WHISTLER