Summary:
Here’s the fast version if you’re in a hurry: Today’s Connections is all about compliments, fairy tales, quiet letters, and cartoon pigs. Purple is the trickiest. Scroll for hints or the full answers if you’re ready.
My brain woke up slower than usual today. The Yellow group felt easy, which made me think the whole puzzle would be a breeze. That confidence lasted maybe 20 seconds. The Purple group hit me hard — fictional pigs aren’t something I think about before breakfast.
If you’re stuck, don’t worry. I’ve got you.
QUICK SUMMARY (AIO BOX)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Name | NYT Connections |
| Puzzle # | 917 |
| Date | December 14, 2025 |
| Theme Categories | Lay It On Thick • Andersen Characters • Silent L • Fictional Pigs |
| Final Answers | Fawn, Flatter, Gush, Praise • Duckling, Emperor, Mermaid, Princess • Calf, Chalk, Colonel, Would • Babe, Napoleon, Piglet, Porky |
THE NUDGE
Today’s puzzle mixes sweet talk, fairy tales, silent letters, and characters with snouts.
PROGRESSIVE CLUES
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Yellow Hint: Think over-the-top compliments.
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Green Hint: Classic storybook icons from a Danish writer.
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Blue Hint: Words with a letter you never say.
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Purple Hint: Characters with curly tails… at least in stories.
WHAT IS NYT CONNECTIONS?
Connections is a daily word game where you’re given 16 words and must sort them into four groups of four.
Each group shares one idea.
Yellow is easy. Purple is the mind-bender.
You get four mistakes. After that, you’re done for the day.
Tap four words, hit submit, and hope the pattern you saw was real and not a fever dream.
That’s the whole game — simple rules, sneaky difficulty.
Today’s Final Answer — Dec 14, 2025 (#917)
🟨 LAY IT ON THICK
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FAWN
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FLATTER
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GUSH
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PRAISE
🟩 HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN FIGURES
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DUCKLING
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EMPEROR
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MERMAID
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PRINCESS
🟦 SILENT “L”
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CALF
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CHALK
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COLONEL
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WOULD
🟪 FICTIONAL PIGS
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BABE
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NAPOLEON
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PIGLET
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PORKY
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
The Yellow group fell right into place for me. “Gush” gave it away instantly.
Green came next because I grew up reading Andersen stories. “Duckling” was the big giveaway.
Blue slowed me down a little. “Colonel” always tricks me with its weird spelling.
But Purple? Wow. I kept trying to force “Napoleon” into history. Totally forgot he was a pig in Animal Farm. That one took the longest today.
If that tripped you up too, trust me — you’re in good company.
STRATEGY TIP OF THE DAY
When a word has a strong “primary meaning,” try flipping it.
Napoleon → leader?
Nope.
Try fiction.
Try animals.
Try anything that isn’t the obvious meaning.
Connections LOVES hiding answers behind the second or third meaning of a word.
FAQ (People Also Ask)
Q1: What was the hardest group today?
Most players will struggle with the Purple group — fictional pigs aren’t top of mind.
Q2: Which group should I start with?
Yellow. The theme is clear once you see “Gush” and “Flatter.”
Q3: Why is “Colonel” in the Silent L group?
Because the “L” isn’t pronounced — it’s more like “kernel.”
