Unravel Today's NYT Connections: Hints & Answers for September 18th!

Greetings, fellow word puzzle enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into the mind-bending world of NYT Connections today? For Thursday, September 18th, 2025, we've got a fresh set of sixteen words designed to test your categorical prowess. Whether you're a seasoned Connections pro or just starting your journey, these daily challenges are a fantastic way to sharpen your wit and expand your vocabulary.

Connections, for the uninitiated, is a daily word puzzle from The New York Times.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to sort sixteen seemingly random words into four distinct groups of four, each linked by a hidden theme. Sounds simple? Think again! The clever folks at the NYT often throw in red herrings and words that could fit multiple categories, making each solve a delightfully frustrating experience.

Remember, the categories are color-coded by difficulty: Yellow is usually the most straightforward, followed by Green, then Blue, with Purple being the trickiest and often involving wordplay or more abstract connections.

You only get four mistakes before your streak is broken, so choose wisely!

Struggling to make sense of today's grid? Don't worry, we're here to help you navigate the linguistic labyrinth without spoiling all the fun. Let's start with some gentle nudges.

General Strategy & Tips:

• Look for Obvious Links: Sometimes, a few words just jump out at you.

  Group them first, but always double-check they don't fit better elsewhere.

• Consider Homophones & Puns: Especially for the purple category, be prepared for words that sound alike or have multiple meanings.
• Think Broadly and Narrowly: A word might fit a broad category, but is there a more specific, tighter group it belongs to? The best Connections categories are precise.
• Work Backwards: If you've identified three groups, the remaining four words must form the last category.

Hints for Today's Puzzle (Thursday, September 18th):

If you're feeling stuck, let these hints guide your way:

Hint 1 (Category Themes):

• One category includes common places you'd find reading material.
• Another theme revolves around clandestine operations.
• A third group is all about aquatic creatures.
• The final, trickiest category involves words that often precede a specific round object.

Hint 2 (One Word Per Category):

• From the 'reading material' group: Try 'BOOK'.
• From the 'clandestine operations' group: Consider 'AGENT'.
• From the 'aquatic creatures' group: Look for 'COD'.
• From the 'precedes a round object' group: Think 'FOOT'.

Ready for the big reveal? If you've tried your best and are still scratching your head, or if you simply want to confirm your brilliant deductions, scroll down for today's answers!

Today's NYT Connections Answers (September 18th, 2025):

Here are the solutions for Thursday, September 18th, 2025.

Don't peek unless you're truly ready!

Yellow Category (Easiest): Things Found in a Library

• BOOK
• SHELF
• CARD
• AISLE

Green Category (Medium): Words Associated with Spies

• AGENT
• MISSION
• ESPIONAGE
• COVERT

Blue Category (Harder): Types of Fish

• COD
• BASS
• SALMON
• TROUT

Purple Category (Trickiest): Words that Precede "Ball"

• FOOT
• GOLF
• MOTH
• CANNON

How did you do today? We hope these hints and answers helped you conquer the puzzle and maintain your winning streak.

Join us tomorrow for another exciting round of NYT Connections, and keep those brain cells buzzing!