Today’s NYT Connections Clues and Solutions for May 21, 2025


Connections: Tips, Advice, and Today’s Solutions for the NYT Word Game

Connections has rapidly emerged as one of the foremost word games from The New York Times, engaging players with its ingenious puzzles and daily tasks. Similar to Wordle, Connections refreshes nightly at midnight, presenting a new assortment of words that frequently grow more challenging as the week advances. If you find yourself at an impasse, we offer hints, tactics, and today’s solutions to assist you.

Eager to jump straight to today’s answer? Scroll down to the bottom. Prefer to crack it on your own? Continue reading for valuable hints and insights.

What Is Connections?

Connections is a daily word game from The New York Times that challenges players to find sets of four words that share a common thread. Created in collaboration with associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, the game has surged in popularity and can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices.

Each puzzle consists of 16 words that must be divided into four groups of four. These categories can encompass anything from pop culture and technology to geography and everyday items. Although some words may appear to belong to several groups, there is only one correct arrangement.

When you successfully identify a group, those words are eliminated from the board. Be cautious—each wrong guess counts against you, and you are limited to four mistakes before the game concludes.

To assist in solving, players can rearrange the board for a different view of the words. Each category is color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (most difficult). As with Wordle, you can share your outcomes with friends via social media.

Need a breather from Connections? Explore other entertaining games like Mahjong, Sudoku, and crosswords on Mashable’s gaming hub.

Hints for Today’s Connections Categories

Looking for a little guidance without revealing too much? Here are some gentle hints for today’s categories:

– Yellow: To halt or obstruct something
– Green: Found on Apple computers
– Blue: Methods of taking medication
– Purple: Items that open and close like a clam

Still puzzled? Keep reading for the official category names.

Today’s Connections Categories

Here are the confirmed categories for today’s puzzle:

– Yellow: Prevent, as entry
– Green: Folders on a Mac
– Blue: Formats for medicine
– Purple: Things that open like a clam

Prepared for the answers? This is your last chance before we disclose today’s solutions.

Today’s Connections Answer (#709)

Here are the correct groupings for today’s puzzle:

– Prevent, as entry: BAR, BLOCK, DENY, REFUSE
– Folders on a Mac: DESKTOP, MUSIC, PICTURES, TRASH
– Formats for medicine: CREAM, PATCH, SPRAY, TABLET
– Things that open like a clam: CLAM, COMPACT, LAPTOP, WAFFLE IRON

Didn’t succeed today? No worries—Connections resets daily, and we’ll return tomorrow with more hints and solutions to support you.

Craving more puzzles? Give NYT’s Strands or The Mini crossword a shot. If you missed yesterday’s Connections, you can find the solution here.

Want even more games? Head over to Mashable’s games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and additional fun!