Yellow group
Straightforward
Gentle hint
It may sound like talk, but it does not make sense.
Show one word
BALONEY belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
NONSENSE
Reveal all four words
- BALONEY
- BULL
- BUNK
- RUBBISH
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #820
hints & answers for September 8, 2025
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#820
This reference always shows September 8, 2025. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with C, H, J and R. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
CRANK belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
INCREASE, WITH "UP"
Reveal all four words
- CRANK
- HIKE
- JACK
- RAISE
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with A, H, P and P. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
ARCHER belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
FICTIONAL SPIES
Reveal all four words
- ARCHER
- HUNT
- PEEL
- POWERS
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Wordplay hint
Try putting the same beginning before each entry.
Show one word
FISH belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
CAT___
Reveal all four words
- FISH
- NAP
- TAIL
- WALK
Each entry comes after "CAT" to form a word, expression or name: FISH → CAT FISH; NAP → CAT NAP; TAIL → CAT TAIL; WALK → CAT WALK.
Show categories only
- Yellow: NONSENSE
- Green: INCREASE, WITH "UP"
- Blue: FICTIONAL SPIES
- Purple: CAT___
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
NONSENSE
BALONEY · BULL · BUNK · RUBBISH
Green
INCREASE, WITH "UP"
CRANK · HIKE · JACK · RAISE
Blue
FICTIONAL SPIES
ARCHER · HUNT · PEEL · POWERS
Purple
CAT___
FISH · NAP · TAIL · WALK
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Continue from this date
About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.