NYT Connections Hints December 17: Clues and Answers for Puzzle #920

NYT Connections hints December 17 are now available for puzzle #920. The daily word game from The New York Times challenged players on Tuesday, December 17, with layered categories and a tricky purple group.

The puzzle followed the standard four-group format. Each group shared a hidden connection, ranked by difficulty from yellow to purple.

NYT Connections Hints December 17 Breakdown

The December 17 puzzle required players to separate 16 words into four logical groups. Each group tested a different kind of pattern recognition, including definitions, brands, and wordplay.

According to coverage from CNET and NYT Games, the purple category caused the most difficulty. It relied on spotting biblical names embedded inside longer words.

Here are the official hints released for NYT Connections #920:

• Yellow group hint: Get out on the water.
• Green group hint: Not bumpy.
• Blue group hint: Not Toyota.
• Purple group hint: Religious figure names, with a twist.

The hints were designed to guide players without revealing the answers outright. Many solvers reported that the purple category required multiple attempts.

NYT Games also noted that puzzle #920 leaned heavily on vocabulary familiarity. Brand knowledge and abstract associations played a key role.

Complete Answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #920

The full solution for NYT Connections on December 17 confirms four distinct themes. Each group contains four correct words.

Yellow Group: Human-powered watercraft

• Dugout
• Kayak
• Raft
• Shell

Green Group: Flush

• Even
• Flat
• Level
• Plane

Blue Group: Honda models

• Accord
• Civic
• Odyssey
• Pilot

Purple Group: Biblical figures plus starting letter

• Fluke (Luke)
• Label (Abel)
• Madam (Adam)
• Truth (Ruth)

The purple group required players to identify a biblical name hidden inside a longer word. This twist has become a recurring high-difficulty mechanic in recent puzzles.

How Puzzle #920 Challenged Players

NYT Connections puzzle #920 balanced straightforward categories with advanced wordplay. The yellow and blue groups were solved quickly by most players.

The green group caused moderate confusion due to overlapping meanings. Words like “flat” and “level” can apply to multiple contexts.

The purple group stood out for its indirect logic. Players had to ignore the surface meaning of each word and focus on the embedded name.

This structure reflects a growing trend in NYT Connections. Recent puzzles increasingly reward solvers who look beyond literal definitions.

NYT Connections hints December 17 reinforced the importance of slowing down and checking hidden patterns before locking in answers.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What were the NYT Connections hints for December 17?

The hints focused on watercraft, smoothness, car brands, and religious names hidden in words. The purple hint emphasized a twist on biblical figures.

Q2: What is the NYT Connections puzzle number for December 17?

The December 17 game was puzzle #920. Each daily puzzle receives a sequential number from NYT Games.

Q3: Why was the purple group difficult in puzzle #920?

The purple group required spotting biblical names inside longer words. This indirect pattern is harder than standard category matching.

Q4: Are NYT Connections answers the same for all players?

Yes. All players receive the same puzzle and solutions each day, regardless of location.

Q5: Where can players track their NYT Connections performance?

Registered NYT Games users can review stats using the Connections Bot. It analyzes accuracy, streaks, and puzzle history.