Connections Hints: May 21, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on May 21, 2025 (2025-05-21). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #754

Puzzle #754 · 2025-05-21

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #754 for 2025-05-21, edition main, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: PROHIBIT, AS ENTRY, FOLDERS ON A MAC, MEDICINE FORMATS and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

  • PROHIBIT, AS ENTRY
  • FOLDERS ON A MAC
  • MEDICINE FORMATS
  • THINGS THAT OPEN LIKE A CLAM

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

PROHIBIT, AS ENTRY

BAR
BLOCK
DENY
REFUSE

FOLDERS ON A MAC

DESKTOP
MUSIC
PICTURES
TRASH

MEDICINE FORMATS

CREAM
PATCH
SPRAY
TABLET

THINGS THAT OPEN LIKE A CLAM

CLAM
COMPACT
LAPTOP
WAFFLE IRON

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.

PROHIBIT, AS ENTRY

BAR
BLOCK
DENY
REFUSE

FOLDERS ON A MAC

DESKTOP
MUSIC
PICTURES
TRASH

MEDICINE FORMATS

CREAM
PATCH
SPRAY
TABLET

THINGS THAT OPEN LIKE A CLAM

CLAM
COMPACT
LAPTOP
WAFFLE IRON

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