A little help. Your own aha.

Connections #1232
hints & answers for October 25, 2026

Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.

This reference always shows October 25, 2026. 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.

Yellow group

Straightforward

1/4
Gentle hint

Take something without the owner's permission.

Show one word

BOOST belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

STEAL

Reveal all four words
  • BOOST
  • PALM
  • POCKET
  • SWIPE

Green group

A little trickier

2/4
Gentle hint

These could determine the outline of your next Italian dinner.

Show one word

BOW TIE belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

PASTA SHAPES

Reveal all four words
  • BOW TIE
  • ELBOW
  • SHELL
  • WAGON WHEEL

Blue group

More challenging

3/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with R, S, S and T. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

RIPLEY belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

FICTIONAL TOMS

Reveal all four words
  • RIPLEY
  • SAWYER
  • SWIFT
  • THUMB

Purple group

Wordplay & surprises

4/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with F, F, G and R. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

FINGERS belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED

Reveal all four words
  • FINGERS
  • FOOTBALL
  • GLOW STICK
  • RUBBER BAND
Show categories only
  • Yellow: STEAL
  • Green: PASTA SHAPES
  • Blue: FICTIONAL TOMS
  • Purple: THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED

Ready for the full solution?

All four categories and their words, together.

Reveal all four answers

Yellow

STEAL

BOOST · PALM · POCKET · SWIPE

Green

PASTA SHAPES

BOW TIE · ELBOW · SHELL · WAGON WHEEL

Blue

FICTIONAL TOMS

RIPLEY · SAWYER · SWIFT · THUMB

Purple

THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED

FINGERS · FOOTBALL · GLOW STICK · RUBBER BAND

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.

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.