Connections Hints: Aug 31, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Aug 31, 2025 (2025-08-31). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #853

Puzzle #853 · 2025-08-31

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 #853 for 2025-08-31, 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: CRITICIZE HARSHLY, COMMON COMPONENTS OF BOARD GAMES, HETERONYMS 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.

CRITICIZE HARSHLY
COMMON COMPONENTS OF BOARD GAMES
HETERONYMS
___STICKS

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.

CRITICIZE HARSHLY

BASH

BLAST

FLAME

ROAST

COMMON COMPONENTS OF BOARD GAMES

BOARD

CARDS

DICE

PIECES

HETERONYMS

AXES

BASS

COORDINATE

DOES

___STICKS

CHOP

DRUM

FIDDLE

FISH

Reveal full answer

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