The New York Times' Connections puzzle for Friday, June 20, 2025, offered players a fresh challenge with its 740th edition, blending wordplay and clever associations that both entertained and tested puzzle enthusiasts. Known for its intriguing difficulty curve, this particular puzzle featured four distinct categories, each color-coded to hint at its complexity, inviting solvers to group 16 seemingly random words into four meaningful clusters.
At the heart of Friday's puzzle were four categories: the yellow group, the green group, the blue group, and the purple group. Each category not only tested players' vocabulary but also their ability to spot subtle connections, ranging from everyday objects to pop culture references.
The yellow category was considered the most straightforward, focusing on items commonly found in a sewing kit. The four words—BUTTON, NEEDLE, SCISSORS, and THREAD—are staples of any sewing enthusiast's toolkit. These items are essential for mending or creating garments, and their connection was immediately recognizable to many players. As one solver noted, "I've found all these items in a biscuit box more than once," highlighting how these everyday objects often hide in plain sight.
The green category, slightly more challenging, revolved around the theme of capturing moments on video. The words FILM, RECORD, SHOOT, and TAPE all relate to the process of recording visual media. Whether it's filming a movie, recording a video, shooting footage, or taping an event, these verbs encapsulate the essence of video capture. This category resonated with players familiar with filmmaking and video production, making it a satisfying second grouping to identify.
Perhaps the most intriguing category was the blue group, which spotlighted professional wrestling icons, each preceded by "The." The words HITMAN, ROCK, SNAKE, and UNDERTAKER represent some of the most legendary figures in wrestling history. "The Rock," famously portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, is a household name beyond wrestling, while "The Undertaker" is known for his chilling persona in the ring. "The Hitman" and "The Snake" complete this quartet, each bringing their own legacy to the sport. For some players, connecting "Snake" and "Hitman" required a bit of research, but the thrill of uncovering these iconic nicknames was worth the effort.
The purple category was deemed the most challenging, centered around the phrase "WAX ___". The four words—MUSEUM, PAPER, POETIC, and SEAL—each pair naturally with "wax." A wax museum is a place filled with lifelike statues; wax paper is commonly used in kitchens; to wax poetic means to express oneself in a flowery or elaborate manner; and a wax seal is a traditional method of sealing envelopes. This category cleverly played on the versatility of the word "wax," pushing solvers to think beyond the literal and embrace idiomatic expressions.
An interesting aspect of this puzzle was the deliberate misdirection involving the words ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, and SHOOT. While these words might instinctively be grouped together due to the classic game "rock-paper-scissors" and the verb "shoot," the puzzle designers scattered them across different categories to increase difficulty. For instance, ROCK referred specifically to Dwayne Johnson, fitting into the wrestling icons category, while PAPER was part of the "wax" phrase group. SHOOT belonged to the video capture verbs, and TAPE, functioning as a verb, also aligned with video recording. This clever distribution exemplifies the puzzle's knack for challenging assumptions.
Players were advised to approach the game with patience and strategic thinking. Since Connections allows only four incorrect guesses per puzzle, making thoughtful selections is crucial. One tip shared by enthusiasts is to shuffle the word tiles before starting, as the initial arrangement can be misleading. Another key strategy is to focus on the simplest and most direct connections, as the game's creators favor straightforward associations over convoluted ones.
The June 20, 2025, puzzle was rated a 2 out of 5 in difficulty, making it accessible yet engaging for a broad audience. It balanced familiar themes with a few twists that kept even seasoned players on their toes. For those who missed the fun, the New York Times provides an archive where past puzzles, including this one, can be revisited and enjoyed at leisure.
Beyond the immediate challenge, the Connections game reflects the growing popularity of word puzzles inspired by the success of Wordle. Launched by The New York Times, Connections invites players to explore language in a fresh way, combining vocabulary skills with lateral thinking. Its daily puzzles have cultivated a dedicated community eager to share hints, strategies, and solutions.
In summary, the June 20 Connections puzzle offered a delightful mix of sewing essentials, video verbs, wrestling legends, and wax-related expressions. It invited players to navigate through common items, cultural icons, and idiomatic phrases, all while honing their pattern recognition. As one solver aptly put it, "The NYT Connections for June 20 came out as a nice surprise," capturing the spirit of discovery and satisfaction that defines this beloved game.
