Connections, the popular daily word game from The New York Times, continues to captivate puzzle enthusiasts worldwide. On Monday, July 14, 2025, players faced puzzle number 764, which challenged them to group 16 words into four distinct categories. Like previous editions, the game resets at midnight local time, offering a fresh set of words daily and a new mental workout for its dedicated fanbase.
For those unfamiliar, Connections requires players to identify the common link between groups of four words from a pool of sixteen. The catch? Players are allowed only four mistakes before the game ends, adding a layer of pressure and excitement. Each group is color-coded by difficulty: yellow for the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple, the toughest, which often involves clever wordplay.
Monday’s puzzle presented a diverse set of words: SPORTY, JOLLY, ICE, GINGER, BABY, POWDER, COMPACT, SCARY, FAST, FLOUNDERS, MISTER, SKY, BELLED, SLEEK, ABUT, and ROY. At first glance, the assortment seemed random, but the challenge was to spot the subtle connections hiding beneath the surface.
Hints for the puzzle offered some guidance without giving away the answers outright. The yellow group’s hint nudged players to think of "hues of a primary color," while the green group was described as "ways to describe a fast vehicle." The blue group’s clue referenced a phrase associated with names, and the purple group teased with "Disney animated characters plus a letter," a hint toward some playful word manipulation.
Breaking it down, the yellow group was identified as shades of blue, featuring the words BABY, ICE, POWDER, and SKY. These are all recognized blue hues, often used in paints, crayons, or to describe natural phenomena. The green group included COMPACT, FAST, SLEEK, and SPORTY—adjectives commonly used to describe sports cars, capturing their design, speed, and style.
The blue group proved trickier for some, but the hint about names helped players realize the connection was words that commonly precede "Roger" or "Rogers." This group included GINGER, JOLLY, MISTER, and ROY. Each word fits naturally before "Roger(s)": Ginger Rogers, Jolly Roger (the pirate flag), Mister Rogers (Fred Rogers of children’s television fame), and Roy Rogers (the famous cowboy actor and singer).
Finally, the purple group was the most challenging and involved Disney animated characters with a twist—a letter added or altered. The words ABUT, BELLED, FLOUNDERS, and SCARY correspond to beloved characters: ABUT is a play on Abu from Aladdin, BELLED references Belle from Beauty and the Beast, FLOUNDERS nods to Flounder from The Little Mermaid, and SCARY points to Scar from The Lion King. This clever wordplay required players to think beyond straightforward connections and engage with the puzzle’s playful linguistic twists.
Many players found the purple group, with its word manipulation and Disney references, the toughest to crack. One commentator admitted to falling for a "Spice Girls trap," initially grouping SPORTY, GINGER, SCARY, and BABY together due to their shared nicknames among the pop group members, only to realize that was a red herring. Despite some missteps, the game allowed room for errors, keeping the experience fun and challenging.
The game’s creator, associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, has been credited with bringing this innovative word game to life since its launch in June 2023. Its increasing popularity is evident in the vibrant online communities, such as Discord groups, where players discuss strategies, share hints, and bond over their shared love of word puzzles.
Beyond the daily challenge, Connections offers players an archive of past puzzles, accessible to subscribers, allowing them to revisit and tackle previous games. This feature has helped build a loyal player base eager to test their skills continually.
Connections is more than just a brain teaser; it’s a social phenomenon that encourages players to think laterally and engage with language in fresh, inventive ways. The daily reset keeps the excitement alive, and the varying difficulty levels ensure there’s something for everyone—from novices to seasoned puzzle veterans.
For those who missed Monday’s puzzle or are looking to sharpen their skills, hints and answers are widely available online, often accompanied by thoughtful commentary and strategies. These resources help demystify tougher puzzles and offer insights into the game’s clever design.
Monday’s puzzle also featured a colorful set of clues that referenced everything from paint and crayon names to childhood cartoons and car descriptions, demonstrating the game’s broad cultural reach and appeal. It’s a reminder that word games like Connections are not just about vocabulary but also about cultural knowledge, memory, and sometimes a bit of playful guesswork.
As the week progresses, players can look forward to new puzzles that continue to test their wits and vocabulary. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated wordsmith, Connections offers a daily dose of fun, challenge, and discovery.
So, if you’re feeling stuck on today’s puzzle or just want to confirm your answers, remember that the solution to Connections #764 on July 14, 2025, is:
- Yellow: Shades of blue — BABY, ICE, POWDER, SKY
- Green: Adjectives for a sports car — COMPACT, FAST, SLEEK, SPORTY
- Blue: Words before "Roger/s" — GINGER, JOLLY, MISTER, ROY
- Purple: Disney animated characters plus a letter — ABUT, BELLED, FLOUNDERS, SCARY
And if you didn’t get it right this time, don’t worry—there’s always a new challenge waiting at midnight.
