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Cracking May 26, 2025 NYT Connections: A Walk‑Through, Hint Ladder, and Full Solution

Posted on May 26, 2025 — by Staff Writer

Time to Solve:8
Word Count:~228 words

Ah, the joys of a linen closet! There’s something oddly satisfying about folding towels and tucking away pillowcases. But today’s puzzle isn’t just about cozying up your home; it’s a delightful maze where the only thing fluffier than a pillowcase is our playful wordplay. With categories that stretch from the intimate realm of lingerie to the strategic world of card games with a twist, this puzzle is sure to keep your neurons firing. Get ready to dive into a colorful conundrum that might just have you second-guessing your own folding technique!


What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is The New York Times' daily word-association puzzle that challenges you to group 16 seemingly random words into four hidden categories. Each set of Connections answers is unique, ranging from pop-culture references to tricky linguistic twists, making it a fresh brain-teaser every day. Whether you're hunting for subtle hints, full solutions, or an archive of past puzzles, our site delivers everything you need to conquer today's NYT Connections and sharpen your puzzle-solving skills.


Today's Grid

PILLOWCASE
SHEET
TOWEL
WASHCLOTH
COUNTER
OPPOSITE
POLAR
REVERSE
GARTER
HOSE
SLIP
TEDDY
DIN
FRIDGE
GUMMY
JOKER

Remember: the NYT shuffles the tiles each time you open the puzzle, so your on‑screen layout might differ. The words themselves, however, are identical.


🪜 Hint Ladder

Choose the lightest nudge you need—each door opens to a bigger clue.


🎉 Full Solution (Spoilers Ahead!) 🎉

Nailed it in four? 🎯 Gold star! Needed a few swings first? You're in fine company—the purple decoys were downright devious today.


Strategy Spotlight: How to Approach This Puzzle

In this particular NYT Connections puzzle, solvers often find themselves stuck when attempting to categorize words that may seem similar at first glance but actually belong to different groups. For instance, players might confuse 'COUNTER' and 'POLAR' with other potential categories due to their abstract meanings, which can lead to misclassification. Similarly, 'GUMMY' could be mistakenly grouped with 'SLIP' or 'HOSE' if a solver is not careful, as they all relate to a type of garment or accessory, but only 'GUMMY' belongs with the card game theme. Understanding the specific context of the words is crucial for successful categorization.


Final Thoughts

Today's puzzle was a delightful mix of cozy comforts and mind-bending wordplay, especially that tricky purple category that had more twists than a deck of cards! Join us tomorrow for another round of lexical gymnastics, where we’ll unravel more wordy wonders. Who knows what surprises await?

Happy connecting, and see you in the squares!