NYT Connections Hints for November 17: Today’s Puzzle Answers and Group Breakdown

Today’s NYT Connections hints for November 17 (#890) challenge players with clever wordplay and thematic twists. The New York Times’ daily puzzle offers four color-coded categories—yellow, green, blue, and purple—each grouping words by a hidden connection. If you found today’s set tricky, here’s a full guide with hints, themes, and answers.

This puzzle blends logic and lateral thinking. Today’s edition features one of those playful “find-the-hidden-word” purple groups, which has become a fan-favorite challenge among seasoned solvers.

NYT Connections Hints November 17: Group Clues Explained

Each color in Connections represents a difficulty level. The yellow group is usually the easiest, while the purple group often hides puns, double meanings, or embedded words. Here are today’s hints:

• Yellow Group Hint: You got it!
• Green Group Hint: Don’t even think about it.
• Blue Group Hint: Hoops.
• Purple Group Hint: Get out of here!

If those clues left you puzzled, don’t worry. Below are the complete answers and the logic behind each category.

NYT Connections Answers for November 17, 2025 (#890)

Here’s how today’s puzzle breaks down by color:

Yellow Group – “You Bet”
Absolutely, Of course, Okey-doke, Sure thing.

Green Group – “Forbidden”
Off-limits, Proscribed, Taboo, Verboten.

Blue Group – “Basketball Shots”
Alley-oop, Fadeaway, Finger roll, Slam dunk.

Purple Group – “Starting With Synonyms for ‘Scram!’”
Go-getter, Leavening, Scattergories, Shoo-in.

According to The New York Times, Connections was designed to test associative thinking more than vocabulary. Today’s “scram” set shows how prefixes can shift meaning entirely—turning “shoo” and “go” into surprising combinations.

How Players Reacted to Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle

Players across social media noted that the purple category caused the most confusion. Many guessed at phrases like “leave-related words” before spotting the embedded commands like “go” and “shoo.” The basketball-themed blue group was the most recognizable, thanks to iconic terms like “slam dunk” and “fadeaway.”

Meanwhile, the “you bet” set gave solvers a confidence boost—fitting for the puzzle’s friendliest color category.

Overall, today’s NYT Connections hints for November 17 brought a good mix of straightforward and clever wordplay—making #890 a satisfying solve for regular players.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the yellow group in today’s NYT Connections?

The yellow group’s theme is “You Bet,” including Absolutely, Of course, Okey-doke, and Sure thing.

Q2: What are the hardest words in today’s puzzle?

The purple group was the toughest, themed “Starting with synonyms for scram!” with Go-getter, Leavening, Scattergories, and Shoo-in.

Q3: What was the blue group theme for November 17?

The blue group represented “Basketball shots,” including Alley-oop, Fadeaway, Finger roll, and Slam dunk.

Q4: How often does NYT release a new Connections puzzle?

New puzzles are released daily by The New York Times, similar to Wordle and Strands.

Q5: Where can you track your Connections stats?

Registered NYT Games users can follow their progress through the new Connections Bot feature.