NYT Connections Hints and Answers Today: November 17 Puzzle Solution

The New York Times Connections puzzle for November 17, 2025, has been solved. This daily word game challenges players to group sixteen words into four secret categories. If you are stuck, we have the hints and full answers you need.

According to The New York Times, the puzzle is available to play for free. It tests vocabulary and lateral thinking skills.

Today’s NYT Connections Hints and Clues

The game presents a grid of words. Players must find the common threads. The categories are color-coded by difficulty.

Yellow is the easiest category. Purple is the most difficult. We provide hints to guide you without giving away the answers. Today’s yellow category relates to phrases meaning “definitely.” The green group involves words for “not allowed.”

The blue category is a specific sports term. It relates to basketball. The tricky purple category involves words that start with synonyms for “scram!”

A Look at the Complete Answer Categories

The full solutions for puzzle #890 are now available. The yellow group, “YOU BET,” contains words of affirmation. These are ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE, OKEY-DOKE, and SURE THING.

The green group, “FORBIDDEN,” includes OFF-LIMITS, PROSCRIBED, TABOO, and VERBOTEN. The blue group “BASKETBALL SHOTS” is ALLEY-OOP, FADEAWAY, FINGER ROLL, and SLAM DUNK. The purple group was the most complex.

It required finding words starting with synonyms for “scram.” The answer was GO-GETTER, LEAVENING, SCATTERGORIES, and SHOO-IN.

Strategies for Mastering the Word Game

Success in Connections often comes from spotting simple links. The game sometimes uses words with multiple meanings to mislead players. Do not overcomplicate your initial guesses.

Use the shuffle button frequently. It rearranges the words and can help you see new patterns. This breaks the editor’s intentional placement of distracting words.

Be mindful of your four allowed mistakes. Incorrect guesses count down your remaining attempts. A “One Away” message means you are very close, with only one word misplaced.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle offered a moderate challenge with its blend of common phrases and wordplay. The basketball category provided a clear path, while the final “scram” group tested even seasoned solvers. A new puzzle arrives tomorrow.

Info at your fingertips

What were the NYT Connections categories for November 17?

The categories were “YOU BET” for yellow, “FORBIDDEN” for green, “BASKETBALL SHOTS” for blue, and words starting with synonyms for “SCRAM!” for purple.

How difficult was today’s Connections puzzle?

Based on the mix of straightforward and tricky categories, today’s puzzle was a moderate challenge, likely a 3 out of 5 on the difficulty scale.

What is the best strategy for solving Connections?

Look for simple connections first, use the shuffle button to see words in new contexts, and conserve your guesses to avoid running out of attempts.

What does “One Away” mean in NYT Connections?

This message appears when you have three correct words in a group. It signals that you are very close but have one incorrect word in your selection.

Can I play old Connections puzzles?

Yes, The New York Times maintains an online archive. This allows players to access and solve previous puzzles from past dates.