NYT Connections Hints Today: Answers & Clues for September 11, 2025

The New York Times Connections puzzle #823 for September 11, 2025, has been solved. Players encountered four distinct categories ranging from common defects to baseball terminology. The puzzle presented moderate difficulty with clever word associations.

According to New York Times gaming data, the categories were color-coded by difficulty. The yellow category represented the simplest group. The purple category contained the most challenging connections.

Breaking Down Today’s Connection Categories

The yellow category was BLEMISH. This group included DENT, DING, MAR, and SCRATCH. These words all describe minor imperfections or surface damage.

The green category was BEHEMOTH. This collection featured COLOSSUS, MAMMOTH, WHALE, and WHOPPER. Each term describes something of enormous size or scale.

Understanding the Puzzle’s Difficulty Level

The blue category was RUDE THINGS TO DO. This grouping contained POINT, SNICKER, STARE, and WHISPER. These actions are generally considered socially impolite behaviors.

The purple category was ON A BASEBALL FIELD. This final set included BASE, BOX, MOUND, and PLATE. These terms all reference specific areas or features of a baseball diamond.

The puzzle presented moderate challenge overall. Some players might have struggled with the baseball terminology. The social behaviors category also required thoughtful consideration.

Thought you’d like to know-

What was the hardest category in today’s Connections?

The purple category about baseball terms proved most challenging. Casual fans might not recognize all the field positions. This category typically trips up international players.

How can I improve at NYT Connections?

Focus on finding common themes rather than literal meanings. Shuffle the words frequently to see new patterns. Start with the most obvious connections first.

Are there any trick words in today’s puzzle?

WHALE appeared in the BEHEMOTH category but might mislead players toward animal groupings. WHOPPER could similarly suggest food-related connections instead of large things.

What makes Connections different from other word games?

Connections requires categorical thinking rather than vocabulary alone. Players must identify conceptual relationships between words. The limited guesses add strategic pressure.

Can I play previous Connections puzzles?

Yes, The New York Times maintains an archive of past games. The archive allows players to practice with older puzzles. This feature helps improve pattern recognition skills.