Connections Hints: Dec 18, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Dec 18, 2025 (2025-12-18). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #966

Puzzle #966 · 2025-12-18

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 #966 for 2025-12-18, 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: BIT OF WISHFUL THINKING, PROTAGONIST, COMPONENT OF AN ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECT 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.

  • BIT OF WISHFUL THINKING
  • PROTAGONIST
  • COMPONENT OF AN ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECT
  • SOCIAL ___

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.

BIT OF WISHFUL THINKING

DAYDREAM
FANCY
FANTASY
ILLUSION

PROTAGONIST

HERO
LEAD
PRINCIPAL
STAR

COMPONENT OF AN ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECT

FELT
GLITTER
PIPE CLEANER
POMPOM

SOCIAL ___

BUTTERFLY
MEDIA
SECURITY
WORKER

Reveal full answer

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

BIT OF WISHFUL THINKING

DAYDREAM
FANCY
FANTASY
ILLUSION

PROTAGONIST

HERO
LEAD
PRINCIPAL
STAR

COMPONENT OF AN ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECT

FELT
GLITTER
PIPE CLEANER
POMPOM

SOCIAL ___

BUTTERFLY
MEDIA
SECURITY
WORKER

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