Connections Hint Today: NYT #894 Answers & Hints

Stuck on today's NYT Connections puzzle #894? You're not alone. The daily word challenge from The New York Times has taken the internet by storm, requiring players to find hidden connections between 16 seemingly random words. Whether you're a puzzle veteran or new to the game, this guide provides connections hints today along with full answers to help you conquer today's challenge.

Today's Puzzle Overview

Puzzle #894 (November 21, 2025) features four themed groups ranging from straightforward to deceptively tricky. As with every Connections game, success hinges on identifying both obvious and abstract links between words. The difficulty escalates from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest), with the latter often requiring lateral thinking.

Step-by-Step Hints for Today's Groups

Start with the yellow group and work your way down:

Yellow Group Hint: Clothing accessory.

This is your easiest category. Think about items commonly worn on jackets or suits.

Green Group Hint: Cheers!

Mixology is the theme here. Focus on popular libations served at bars.

Blue Group Hint: Animated characters.

These are iconic protagonists from beloved Pixar films—look beyond the surface names.

Purple Group Hint: Chow down.

The trickiest category! The connection isn't about food itself, but words that start with synonyms for "eat."

Full Revealed Answers for Puzzle #894

No more guessing—here are all four groups:

Yellow Group: Things worn on lapels

• Awareness ribbon
• Boutonnière
• Lapel pin
• Lavalier

Green Group: Cocktails

• Cosmopolitan
• Greyhound
• Screwdriver
• Sea breeze

Blue Group: Pixar protagonists

• Clownfish (Finding Nemo)
• Grumpy old man (Up)
• Racecar (Cars)
• Talking doll (Toy Story)

Purple Group: Starting with synonyms for "eat"

• Bolt cutter
• Chow mein
• Scarf ring
• Wolf eel

Pro Tips to Master Any Connections Puzzle

Want to improve your game? These strategies from puzzle experts will help:

1. Phrasing is Key: Say the words out loud. Listen for natural phrases (e.g., "bolt cutter" sounds like "bolt down").
2. Look Beyond Obvious Groups: Don't fall for surface-level connections. Editors often mislead with apparent categories (like grouping "sponge" and "bob" separately).
3. Compound Words Hold Clues: Break multi-word terms apart. The "rock band" connection in "Rushmore" (Rush+More) is a perfect example.

The NYT now even offers a Connections Bot to analyze your performance and track your win streak. Register with the Games section to geek out over stats like perfect scores and completion rates.

Why Connections Captivates Players

Unlike Wordle, which tests vocabulary, Connections challenges pattern recognition and creative thinking. The purple group's "synonyms for eat" exemplifies the game's brilliance—requiring players to reframe common words in unexpected ways.

Ready to tackle tomorrow's puzzle? Remember: the best strategy is to take breaks and return with fresh eyes. Happy connecting!