Every day, millions of word puzzle enthusiasts turn to the New York Times for their daily mental workout, and the Connections game has quickly become a standout favorite. On June 22, 2025, puzzle #742 challenged players to group sixteen words into four distinct categories, testing not only their vocabulary but also their cultural knowledge and pattern recognition skills.
Connections, which launched on the New York Times platform in June 2023, offers a fresh twist on word puzzles by requiring players to find common threads among seemingly unrelated words. Each daily puzzle presents sixteen words that must be sorted into four groups of four words each, with each group sharing a unique theme. Players have four attempts to correctly identify the groups before the game ends, adding an element of pressure and excitement to the challenge.
For the June 22 puzzle, the sixteen words were: Port, Pursuit, Progressive, Succession, Happiness, Departed, Flash, Liberty, Wire, Euphoria, Remaining, Entourage, Insecure, Bulletin, Life, and Report. At first glance, these words might appear random, but the game’s objective is to spot the subtle or obvious connections that tie groups of four together.
Hints were provided to assist players in cracking the puzzle without outright giving away the answers. The four categories were color-coded by difficulty, ranging from yellow (easiest) to purple (most challenging). The yellow group’s hint was “Common on major news networks like CNN and CBS,” nudging players toward words associated with news announcements. The green group’s hint pointed to words “Found in the American founding document,” referring to the Declaration of Independence. Blue hinted at “Widely watched TV dramas,” while purple teased “Direction that's not right,” a clever play on the word “left.”
Breaking down the categories, the yellow group consisted of words linked to news announcements: BULLETIN, FLASH, REPORT, and WIRE. These terms are staples in journalism, often seen in breaking news updates and headlines, fitting perfectly with the hint about major news networks.
The green group drew from a famous line in the Declaration of Independence, containing the nouns HAPPINESS, LIBERTY, LIFE, and PURSUIT. These words are iconic, representing fundamental rights declared by America’s founders. Recognizing these words as a set was key to solving this portion of the puzzle.
Blue’s category featured popular HBO television shows: ENTOURAGE, EUPHORIA, INSECURE, and SUCCESSION. Each of these series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated viewer base. This grouping challenged players to connect words not just by dictionary definitions but by cultural knowledge of contemporary TV.
Finally, the purple group played on the multiple meanings of “left,” encompassing DEPARTED, PORT, PROGRESSIVE, and REMAINING. This category was perhaps the trickiest, requiring players to think beyond straightforward definitions. “Departed” suggests someone who has left, “Port” can mean the left side of a ship, “Progressive” hints at a political leaning often associated with left-wing views, and “Remaining” contrasts with having left. This clever wordplay made the purple group a satisfying challenge.
Players could shuffle the board to spot patterns more easily and had the option to share their results on social media, fostering a community around the game. Like Wordle, Connections encourages daily play and competition, with players tracking their streaks and perfect scores.
For those who struggled, many outlets, including the New York Times and various puzzle websites, provided detailed hints and full solutions to help players learn and improve. The June 22 puzzle’s solution was widely shared, with each category’s words and themes explained to assist solvers.
The success of Connections lies in its blend of straightforward and obscure connections, appealing to a broad audience. Some groups are intuitive—like the news announcement words—while others, such as the multiple meanings of “left,” test lateral thinking. This balance keeps the game engaging and fresh.
Moreover, the puzzle’s inclusion of culturally relevant categories, such as HBO shows, connects players to current pop culture while the Declaration of Independence theme offers a nod to history, enriching the experience with educational value.
As the game continues to evolve, players eagerly anticipate new puzzles each day, ready to stretch their brains and enjoy the thrill of discovery. The June 22, 2025, Connections puzzle exemplifies the game’s appeal: a perfect mix of challenge, fun, and learning.
Whether you solved today’s puzzle solo or leaned on the hints and answers, the world of Connections promises more mind-bending wordplay tomorrow. For those looking to sharpen their skills, revisiting past puzzles or exploring other word games like the Mini Crossword or Strands on the New York Times platform can provide hours of entertainment.
In a world saturated with quick digital distractions, the enduring popularity of Connections underscores a craving for thoughtful, engaging challenges that connect us to language, culture, and each other.
