NYT Connections Hints December 19: Clues, Groups and Answers

NYT Connections hints December 19 are now available for puzzle No. 922, released on Thursday, December 19, 2025. The daily word game from The New York Times challenged players with layered wordplay and a difficult purple category.

The puzzle tested logic, vocabulary, and pattern recognition. Many players reported that the final grouping required extra thought, even after solving the first three sets.

NYT Connections Hints December 19 Puzzle Breakdown

The NYT Connections puzzle for December 19 asked players to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Each group shared a hidden relationship. The difficulty increased as players moved from yellow to purple.

According to coverage by CNET, the purple group was the most challenging. It relied on sound-alike words rather than direct definitions. This type of construction has become more common in higher-difficulty puzzles.

The yellow group was the most straightforward. It focused on words connected to conclusions or results. These terms are commonly used in research, reporting, and analysis. Many players solved this group first.

The green group centered on food-related actions or choices. It reflected everyday decisions people make around meals. The words were familiar and accessible, which helped ease players into the puzzle.

The blue group required basic knowledge of U.S. government structure. It grouped cabinet-level departments. Players with a background in civics or current affairs had an advantage here.

The purple group proved tricky because it depended on homophones. Each word sounded like a place where a ship can be parked. The spelling differences created confusion, even when the sounds were familiar.

Here are the confirmed group themes and answers for NYT Connections No. 922:

• Yellow group theme: Findings
  Words: data, details, information, intelligence
• Green group theme: Dinner options
  Words: cook, delivery, go out, leftovers
• Blue group theme: U.S. cabinet departments
  Words: Commerce, Education, Energy, Labor
• Purple group theme: Homophones of places to park a ship
  Words: birth (berth), doc (dock), peer (pier), Worf (wharf)

The New York Times has confirmed these solutions through its official puzzle release. The Connections Bot also reflected similar solve rates and difficulty levels for this puzzle.

Why the December 19 NYT Connections Puzzle Stood Out

The December 19 puzzle stood out because it blended straightforward logic with phonetic wordplay. This balance pushed players to shift thinking styles mid-game. Many puzzles lean heavily in one direction, but No. 922 required flexibility.

Homophone-based categories are often reserved for the purple group. They test listening skills rather than reading comprehension. Players who rely only on visual patterns often struggle here.

The inclusion of U.S. cabinet departments added an educational layer. It reinforced real-world knowledge while remaining accessible. This approach aligns with how The New York Times designs puzzles to be both challenging and informative.

Players who track their performance through the Connections Bot saw this puzzle rated above average in difficulty. Completion times were longer than usual, especially for first-time solvers.

NYT Connections hints December 19 offered a clear example of how the game continues to evolve. The mix of logic, language, and sound-based clues kept the puzzle engaging and memorable.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is NYT Connections puzzle No. 922?

It is the daily Connections word puzzle released by The New York Times on December 19, 2025. Players must group 16 words into four related sets.

Q2: Why was the purple group difficult on December 19?

The purple group relied on homophones rather than direct meanings. This required players to think about how words sound, not just how they are spelled.

Q3: What were the themes in NYT Connections December 19?

The themes included findings, dinner options, U.S. cabinet departments, and homophones of places to park a ship.

Q4: Are NYT Connections puzzles getting harder?

Difficulty varies by day, but recent puzzles have included more abstract and phonetic groupings. This suggests a gradual increase in complexity.

Q5: Where can players track their Connections performance?

Players can review their results using the Connections Bot provided by The New York Times Games platform.