Connections Hints: Dec 29, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Dec 29, 2025 (2025-12-29). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #959

Puzzle #959 · 2025-12-29

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 #959 for 2025-12-29, 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: TENDENCY, BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES, SUMMER OLYMPIC EVENTS 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.

TENDENCY
BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES
SUMMER OLYMPIC EVENTS
CAR BRAND HOMOPHONES

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.

TENDENCY

COURSE

DIRECTION

TIDE

TREND

BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES

CELL

GENE

PROTEIN

TISSUE

SUMMER OLYMPIC EVENTS

ATHLETICS

EQUESTRIAN

SWIMMING

TRIATHLON

CAR BRAND HOMOPHONES

INFINITY

MINNIE

OPAL

OUTIE

Reveal full answer

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