Today’s NYT Connections puzzle for October 25, 2026, is puzzle #1232. The daily word game challenges players to sort 16 words into four groups of four based on a shared connection. And we are here to help you if you’ve got stuck in today’s puzzle. You can start with the category hints below, check the words in the grid, and reveal the complete answers when you’re ready.
The four groups involve different ways to steal something, pasta shapes, fictional characters named Tom, and things associated with snapping. Some words have multiple meanings, so look beyond their most obvious definitions before making your final selections.
NYT Connections Hints for October 25
Need a little help without spoiling the entire puzzle? Here are today’s category clues, arranged by the game’s difficulty colors.
- Yellow: Different ways to steal something.
- Green: Shapes of pasta you might find on a dinner plate.
- Blue: Fictional characters who share the name Tom.
- Purple: Things that can be snapped.
The yellow group should be relatively straightforward once you think about slang. The green group focuses on familiar food shapes, while the blue category requires knowledge of fictional characters. The purple group relies on different meanings of the word “snap.”
Try to identify all four groups before scrolling down to the solutions.
Today’s NYT Connections Words
Here are the 16 words featured in Connections #1232 for October 25, 2026:
GLOW STICK, WAGON WHEEL, POCKET, FOOTBALL, THUMB, ELBOW, SWIFT, FINGERS, SHELL, PALM, RUBBER BAND, BOW TIE, SAWYER, SWIPE, RIPLEY, BOOST
Look for words that could fit into more than one category. For example, several entries refer to body parts, but their intended connections involve different meanings.
NYT Connections Answers for October 25, 2026
Warning: Spoilers ahead! If you want to solve the puzzle yourself, stop here and use the hints above first.
Here are all four categories and their answers.
- Yellow: Steal – BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE
- Green: Pasta Shapes – BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL
- Blue: Fictional Toms – RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB
- Purple: Things That Can Be Snapped – FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND
Explanation of Today’s Connections Groups
Yellow: Steal
Answers: BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE
The yellow category connects four words associated with stealing.
“Boost” is slang for stealing, while “swipe” can mean taking something without permission. “Pocket” describes taking or keeping something for yourself, and “palm” can refer to secretly concealing an object in your hand.
The words have different everyday uses, but their connection becomes clear when you consider their meanings related to theft.
Green: Pasta Shapes
Answers: BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL
This group contains four pasta shapes.
Bow-tie pasta is commonly known as farfalle. Elbow pasta is the curved variety often used in macaroni and cheese, while shell pasta is shaped like a small seashell. Wagon wheel pasta features a wheel-like design.
If you recognized the food connection early, this should have been one of the easier categories to complete.
Blue: Fictional Toms
Answers: RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB
This category brings together four fictional characters associated with the name Tom.
Tom Ripley is the central character in Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. He is the famous fictional boy created by American author Mark Twain. Tom Swift is the young inventor featured in a series of adventure novels, while Tom Thumb is a tiny hero from English folklore.
The challenge is recognizing that each word refers to a character rather than an unrelated name or object.
Purple: Things That Can Be Snapped
Answers: FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND
The purple category connects four things associated with snapping.
You can snap your fingers to make a clicking sound. In American football, the center snaps the ball to start a play. You activate a glow stick by bending and snapping it, while a stretched rubber band snaps when you release it or pull it too far.
This category depends on understanding how the same word applies to different situations.
Tips for Solving NYT Connections
One useful strategy is to consider multiple meanings before submitting a group. Connections often includes words that seem related but belong to entirely different categories.
Today’s puzzle offers a good example. ELBOW, FINGERS, PALM, and THUMB might initially look like a group of body parts. However, their intended connections are pasta shapes, things that can be snapped, slang for stealing, and fictional characters.
Before submitting a group, check whether another word could fit the same category more naturally. Remember that the game allows only four mistakes before ending your run.
Where to Play NYT Connections
You can play the daily puzzle on the official New York Times Games website: NYT Connections.
Final Thoughts
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle combines wordplay, food knowledge, fictional characters, and familiar expressions. The biggest challenge is recognizing that several words have meanings beyond their most obvious definitions.
Use the hints to guide your next attempt, and check the answer groups if you need a little extra help.
Follow GamerUrge for more daily NYT Connections hints, answers, gaming news, and helpful gaming guides.
