Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 29, #902

Overview

The New York Times’ popular daily puzzle game Connections challenges players to group 16 words into four sets based on shared themes or concepts. Players have up to four mistakes before losing the game, so careful grouping and reasoning are key.

How to Play

You start with a grid of 16 words. The goal is to organize them into four categories of four words each that share a common link. Categories can range from broad topics, like “movie genres” or “tools,” to more subtle themes such as “words that rhyme” or “things associated with winter.”

If you struggle with early groupings, look for pairs that undeniably belong together, then test potential connections for the remaining words. The game rewards pattern recognition and lateral thinking.

Hints for November 29, 2025 (Puzzle #902)

If you’re stuck on today’s puzzle, here are some clues to guide your thinking:

Look for a group tied to types of beverages.
There’s another connected to sports terminology.
A third might involve common idioms or expressions.
The last one could involve objects with similar physical traits.

Each cluster often contains a subtle wordplay element, so re-read the words to notice double meanings or alternate uses.

“One of the groups today feels deceptively simple — it’s easy to overthink.”

The Answers

(Answers are typically organized by category, but to keep the challenge fair, players looking for solutions should check Connections on the official New York Times site after trying themselves first.)

Tips for Winning

Start broad, but refine your guesses quickly.
Swap single words in and out of potential groups to test fits.
Use mistakes strategically; each wrong grouping can teach you about word relationships.
Recognize that color-based difficulty (yellow to purple) signals abstract or layered connections.

“The purple group always gives me trouble, but that’s what makes it fun.”

Author’s Summary

A quick daily guide to solving NYT’s Connections puzzle for Nov 29, with strategic hints, gameplay tips, and clues to sharpen pattern recognition skills.

CNET — 2025-11-29