Connections Hints: Dec 19, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Dec 19, 2025 (2025-12-19). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #961

Puzzle #961 · 2025-12-19

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 #961 for 2025-12-19, 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: FINDINGS, DINNER OPTIONS, U.S. CABINET DEPARTMENTS 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.

  • FINDINGS
  • DINNER OPTIONS
  • U.S. CABINET DEPARTMENTS
  • HOMOPHONES OF PLACES TO PARK A SHIP

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.

FINDINGS

DATA
DETAILS
INFORMATION
INTELLIGENCE

DINNER OPTIONS

COOK
DELIVERY
GO OUT
LEFTOVERS

U.S. CABINET DEPARTMENTS

COMMERCE
EDUCATION
ENERGY
LABOR

HOMOPHONES OF PLACES TO PARK A SHIP

BIRTH
DOC
PEER
WORF

Reveal full answer

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

FINDINGS

DATA
DETAILS
INFORMATION
INTELLIGENCE

DINNER OPTIONS

COOK
DELIVERY
GO OUT
LEFTOVERS

U.S. CABINET DEPARTMENTS

COMMERCE
EDUCATION
ENERGY
LABOR

HOMOPHONES OF PLACES TO PARK A SHIP

BIRTH
DOC
PEER
WORF

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