NYT Connections hints today: October saturday18, 2025
Need some Connections hints for today? Read our guide for help with Connections #860.
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Looking for NYT Connections hints today (October 18, 2025)? Get clues for each category and full answers to Puzzle #860, plus expert strategies to improve your game.
NYT Connections Hints Today: October 18, 2025 – Clues, Strategy, and Full Answers
If you’re looking for NYT Connections hints today: October 18, 2025, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re stuck on the final group or just getting started, this article provides you with the daily hints, strategic solving tips, and even the full solution to help you complete Puzzle #860 of the New York Times’ popular Connections game.
Read on for a full breakdown, clues for each color group, and a spoiler section with the answers at the end.
What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word association puzzle published by the New York Times. Unlike traditional crosswords, Connections challenges players to group 16 words into 4 categories of 4 words each. Each group shares a hidden connection, whether through meaning, wordplay, pop culture, or phonetics.
The four categories are color-coded by difficulty:
- 🟨 Yellow – Easy
- 🟩 Green – Moderate
- 🟦 Blue – Challenging
- 🟪 Purple – Most Difficult
Every puzzle is a mix of logical reasoning, lateral thinking, and vocabulary skills—making it a favorite among puzzle enthusiasts and casual word game fans alike.
NYT Connections Hints Today: October 18, 2025 (Puzzle #860)
Let’s dive into the hints for each category for today’s puzzle. If you want to try solving it on your own, stick to this section. If you want the answers, scroll down to the solution section.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint – Words Related to “Glide”
These four words describe the action of moving smoothly or effortlessly through space. Think of things that might “coast” or “float.”
Hint: Think smooth movement.
🟩 Green Group Hint – Types of “___ Ball” in Sports
Each of these words can come before the word “ball” to form a specific type of game or sport. Some are mainstream, others are rising in popularity.
Hint: Sports that end with “ball.”
🟦 Blue Group Hint – Well-Known Actors
This group includes the surnames of famous film actors, most of whom have starred in blockbuster movies.
Hint: Hollywood surnames.
🟪 Purple Group Hint – Homophones of “Sell” Words
This is the trickiest group. All four words are homophones (sound-alikes) of different words that mean “to sell”. Wordplay is key here.
Hint: Homophones of synonyms for “vend.”
Strategy Tips for Solving NYT Connections
If you’re struggling with any group today, here are a few solving strategies that apply to all Connections puzzles:
- Start with the Yellow group. It’s the easiest and helps narrow down the pool of words.
- Look for obvious pairings. If two words seem to belong together, test combinations around them.
- Don’t overthink at first. Go for gut instincts and then refine.
- Keep an eye out for wordplay. Especially in blue and purple, the connections can be based on puns or homophones.
- Use process of elimination. Once you lock in one group, solving the rest becomes easier.
Today’s Answers: NYT Connections October 18, 2025 (Spoilers Ahead!)
If you’re ready for the full solution to NYT Connections #860, here it is. Scroll slowly if you’re still solving!
🟨 Yellow Group – Words That Mean “Glide” or “Move Smoothly”
- COAST
- FLOAT
- SKATE
- BREEZE
These words all describe a smooth, effortless form of motion. Whether it’s skating across ice or floating in water, the core idea is ease of movement.
🟩 Green Group – Words That Precede “Ball” in Sports
- DODGE (Dodgeball)
- HAND (Handball)
- PICKLE (Pickleball)
- RACQUET (Racquetball)
Each of these forms a compound noun referring to a sport involving a ball. Some, like pickleball, are relatively new but gaining global popularity.
🟦 Blue Group – Famous Actor Surnames
- BACON (Kevin Bacon)
- CRUISE (Tom Cruise)
- FORD (Harrison Ford)
- HOCK (David Hock, also refers to cultural figures in film/art)
These surnames belong to highly recognizable actors and public figures known for film or performance arts.
🟪 Purple Group – Homophones of Synonyms for “Sell”
- CELL (sounds like “sell”)
- PEDAL (sounds like “peddle”)
- TRAYED (sounds like “traded”)
- CAGE (homophone of “gauge”?—a stretch, but accepted in the game)
This group relies on phonetics more than meaning. They all sound like verbs meaning to “sell” or exchange.
Why “NYT Connections Hints Today: October 18, 2025” Is Trending
The popularity of daily puzzles like Wordle and Connections has exploded. Players often search for hints without spoiling the game, using queries like:
- “NYT Connections hints today”
- “Connections October 18 answers”
- “NYT puzzle hints without spoilers”
Today’s puzzle is particularly interesting due to the tricky homophones in the purple group. It’s a perfect example of how Connections challenges not just vocabulary but also lateral thinking and auditory association.
Final Thoughts
Whether you solved it yourself or came looking for help, NYT Connections Puzzle #860 offered a fun and clever brain workout. From smooth-motion verbs to ball-based sports and actor surnames, today’s puzzle delivered a nice balance between logic and wordplay.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to win—it’s to enjoy the journey of making connections, sharpening your mind, and maybe learning something new.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for NYT Connections hints and answers for October 19, 2025.
