Every morning, as the sun rises over New York City and beyond, a growing legion of word game enthusiasts reaches for their phones or laptops to tackle the latest challenge from The New York Times: Connections. On November 14, 2025, puzzle #887 once again delivered its signature blend of trivia, logic, and pop culture, inviting players to sift through a jumble of sixteen words and sort them into four distinct categories. For those who crave a daily dose of brain-teasing fun, Connections has become as much a ritual as coffee or the crossword, and today’s puzzle proved why the game continues to captivate and occasionally confound its devoted following.
According to The Economic Times, the November 14 edition of Connections grouped its sixteen words into the following categories: Evaluate (GRADE, JUDGE, RATE, REVIEW), Radio tuning options (BAND, CHANNEL, FREQUENCY, STATION), Action film subgenres (BUDDY, DISASTER, MARTIAL ARTS, SUPERHERO), and Classic ’90s action films (ARMAGEDDON, HARD BOILED, HEAT, SPEED). The puzzle’s difficulty was rated as a 3 out of 5—challenging, but not insurmountable, especially for veterans who’ve learned to spot patterns and avoid hasty guesses.
But what exactly is Connections, and why has it become such a sensation? As The Manual explains, Connections is the latest word-based brainchild from the team behind the crossword and Spelling Bee. Inspired by the viral success of Wordle, Connections offers a twist: instead of guessing a single word, players are presented with sixteen unsorted words and asked to group them into four categories of four. The categories can range from the straightforward (“car parts”) to the delightfully obscure (“ends with x”), and the game’s editors work overtime to ensure that the connections aren’t always obvious—or easy.
The rules are simple, but the challenge is real. Players get only four attempts to correctly identify all four categories. Make a mistake, and you’re one step closer to losing; get it right, and you can bask in the satisfaction of having outsmarted the puzzle—and, perhaps, your friends. As The Manual puts it, "Connections is fundamentally different from many other games released by NYT Games and can be uniquely frustrating as a result. It tests your ability to group words together into coherent categories and presents a different challenge every time you play it."
Today’s puzzle, as reported by both The Economic Times and The Manual, leaned heavily on pattern recognition and a dash of general knowledge. The “Evaluate” category (GRADE, JUDGE, RATE, REVIEW) rewarded those with a knack for synonyms, while “Radio tuning options” (BAND, CHANNEL, FREQUENCY, STATION) was a nod to anyone who’s ever fiddled with a dial. The “Action film subgenres” group (BUDDY, DISASTER, MARTIAL ARTS, SUPERHERO) called for a bit of cinematic savvy, and the “Classic ’90s action films” (ARMAGEDDON, HARD BOILED, HEAT, SPEED) was a treat for movie buffs.
What makes Connections so engaging is its mix of ambiguity and specificity. As The Manual notes, "Categories are very specific. They won’t be simple clues like ‘places’ – think critically!" The game’s designers delight in offering categories that are just broad enough to be tricky but just narrow enough to be solvable with a few clever leaps. This balance keeps players on their toes and encourages a careful, methodical approach.
Veteran solvers have developed a toolkit of strategies for tackling Connections. According to Beebom, which regularly offers hints and solutions, it’s wise to start with the easiest category—often the yellow group—since it can help conserve precious guesses. Players are also advised to watch out for outliers: “a solitary word that clearly belongs to a specific, narrow theme can anchor a category.” And, if all else fails, the “Shuffle” function can be a lifesaver, rearranging the board and potentially revealing new connections.
Of course, not every day’s puzzle is equally difficult. The color-coding system—yellow for easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple—offers a rough guide, but as The Manual points out, “You may well find this true most of the time, but it’s not always the case. If the purple grouping corresponds to movie directors one day, and you’re a huge film buff, you might see those connections more easily than the other color groupings.” In other words, today’s challenge might be tomorrow’s breeze, depending on your background and interests.
For those new to Connections, the learning curve can be steep. The game’s ambiguity is intentional, and it’s easy to be tripped up by words that seem to fit multiple categories. “If a word could fit into two categories, wait to use it,” advises The Manual. “If you see a word that could fit into two possible categories you’re trying to decide between, wait to use it until you’ve created at least one other complete category.” This patience, combined with a willingness to shuffle and rethink, is often the key to success.
There’s also a social element to Connections that’s helped fuel its popularity. Like Wordle, the game allows players to share their results with friends, sparking a daily wave of friendly competition and collective head-scratching. The quick, accessible format—most games can be completed in a few minutes—makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule, whether you’re at your desk, on the treadmill, or waiting for a flight. “That’s part of the reason so many people have gotten devoted to it—that and the satisfaction of beating something that has stumped all of your friends,” The Manual observes.
For those who crave more, Connections offers a daily puzzle at midnight local time, ensuring there’s always a new challenge on the horizon. While basic access is free on the New York Times Games site and mobile apps, subscribers can also dive into the archive to tackle previous puzzles—perfect for newcomers eager to hone their skills or veterans looking to relive old glories.
And if you’re ever truly stumped, help is never far away. Sites like Beebom and The Manual provide daily hints, strategic advice, and, if you’re desperate, the full solutions. As The Economic Times reminds readers, “You have four attempts to identify all four categories correctly.” If you fail, the game reveals the answers, and you can always try again tomorrow.
In a world overflowing with distractions, Connections stands out as a little oasis of logic and wordplay—a daily test that rewards careful thought and a bit of luck. Whether you’re a crossword veteran, a Wordle devotee, or just someone looking for a few moments of mental clarity, today’s puzzle—and the promise of tomorrow’s—offers a challenge worth savoring.
