The December 17, 2025, edition of Connections from the New York Times offers a fresh challenge for fans of this popular daily word game. Players must group 16 words into sets of four, identifying hidden themes that link the words together. This engaging puzzle encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as players work to find connections among seemingly unrelated terms.
Understanding the Game and Its Appeal
In Connections, participants are presented with a list of 16 words. The objective is to sort these words into four distinct groups, each consisting of four related terms. Players have four guesses to determine the correct associations, with hints provided for those on the right track. This combination of challenge and support has contributed to the game’s popularity among word enthusiasts.
The words featured in today’s puzzle include: RAFT, ACCORD, CIVIC, PLANE, KAYAK, FLAT, LEVEL, SHELL, PILOT, TRUTH, EVEN, DUGOUT, FLUKE, ODYSSEY, LABEL, and MADAM. Each of these words carries a unique connection that players are tasked with uncovering.
Hints for Solving the Puzzle
To assist players in cracking today’s puzzle, several hints have been provided for each group:
- Yellow Group: This group features items commonly used to cross a river.
- Green Group: The words in this group relate to smooth surfaces.
- Blue Group: This set is associated with a popular car brand.
- Purple Group: The collection includes words containing the name of a Biblical character.
With these hints in mind, players can approach the puzzle with a clearer strategy, increasing their chances of success.
Today’s Answers Revealed
For those seeking immediate solutions, the answers for the December 17 Connections puzzle are as follows:
- Yellow Group: DUGOUT, KAYAK, RAFT, SHELL (Human-powered watercraft)
- Green Group: EVEN, FLAT, LEVEL, PLANE (Flush)
- Blue Group: ACCORD, CIVIC, ODYSSEY, PILOT (Honda models)
- Purple Group: FLUKE, LABEL, MADAM, TRUTH (Biblical figures plus starting letter)
This engaging format encourages players to not only enjoy the challenge of the game but also to learn about the connections that exist between words and concepts. In addition to Connections, the New York Times offers a variety of other puzzles, including popular options like the Crossword and Wordle, catering to a diverse audience of puzzle enthusiasts.
As the game evolves and new challenges are presented daily, fans can look forward to honing their skills and expanding their vocabulary while enjoying this beloved word game.
