Understanding the NYT Connections Puzzle: November 18, 2025

The New York Times Connections puzzle is a daily word game that challenges players to group 16 words into four categories of four words each. Each category is color-coded by difficulty: yellow for the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple, which is typically the most challenging. Players can make three incorrect guesses before the game ends, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay.

CNET

On November 18, 2025, the Connections puzzle featured a variety of themes across its groups. The completed puzzle revealed the following categories:

CNET

• Yellow Group (Funny Person): CLOWN, JOKER, LAUGH, RIOT

Forbes

• Green Group (Kinds of Tomatoes): CHERRY, GRAPE, PLUM, ROMA

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• Blue Group (Best Actress Oscar Winners): HALLE BERRY, MIKEY MADISON, EMMA STONE, HILARY SWANK

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• Purple Group (Ending in Synonyms for "Location"): COMMONPLACE, NEEDLEPOINT, PARASITE, SUNSPOT

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Hints provided for each group aimed to guide players in identifying the connections. For example, the yellow group was hinted at with "funny person," while the purple group required players to think about synonyms for "location." Players are encouraged to look for patterns and connections that may not be immediately obvious, as the game often includes red herrings to mislead.

Forbes

The NYT Games team emphasizes the importance of community engagement, encouraging players to share their experiences and strategies. They also provide a Connections Bot for players to analyze their performance and track their progress over time.

TechRadar

While the game is popular among many players, some have expressed frustration with the increasing difficulty of the puzzles, particularly in the purple category. Critics argue that the complexity can deter new players from engaging with the game.

CNET

There are occasional discrepancies in how players interpret the hints and groupings, leading to varied experiences in solving the puzzles. Some players may find certain categories easier or harder than others, which can affect their overall enjoyment of the game.

New York Times

As the NYT Connections puzzle continues to evolve, players can expect new themes and challenges. The game is updated daily, and players are encouraged to return for fresh puzzles and to engage with the community for tips and discussions.

New York Times

• “Connections presents you with a grid of 16 words (sometimes phrases, symbols or numbers).” — NYT Connections Guide

Forbes

• “The yellow group is usually the easiest to deduce, followed by blue, green and purple.” — NYT Connections Guide

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This comprehensive overview of the NYT Connections puzzle for November 18, 2025, highlights the game's mechanics, today's specific puzzle breakdown, and the community's engagement with the game.

New York Times