Connections Hints: Dec 5, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Dec 5, 2025 (2025-12-05). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #960

Puzzle #960 · 2025-12-05

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 #960 for 2025-12-05, 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: TRICKY, STATE OF AFFAIRS, CLASSIC BOARD GAMES 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.

TRICKY
STATE OF AFFAIRS
CLASSIC BOARD GAMES
___ TALK

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.

TRICKY

COMPLEX

DELICATE

STICKY

TOUGH

STATE OF AFFAIRS

DEAL

SITUATION

STATUS

STORY

CLASSIC BOARD GAMES

MASTERMIND

MOUSE TRAP

OPERATION

SORRY

___ TALK

BABY

PILLOW

SMALL

SWEET

Reveal full answer

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