For the uninitiated, Connections Unlimited is a daily word game by The New York Times, edited by crossword constructor Wyna Liu. Players are presented with a 4x4 grid of 16 words and must group them into four sets of four based on a shared theme or connection. Each group is color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest). You have four mistakes before the game ends, so precision and creative thinking are key. The puzzle refreshes at midnight local time, making it a global daily ritual.
Ready for the solutions? Here are the four groups for August 26, 2025, with their themes and words:
Words: MOLE, PIERCING, SCAR, TATTOO
Explanation: These are physical features often used to identify or describe someone, like in a passport or police report. This group is typically the easiest to spot due to its clear thematic link.
Words: CREEP, HEEL, RAT, SKUNK
Explanation: These are slang terms for an unlikable or dishonest person. While all four can refer to animals, the shared meaning here is pejorative slang, which might catch players off guard if they focus on the animal angle.
Words: BADGER, BUG, HARRY, RIDE
Explanation: These words relate to annoying or harassing someone persistently. “RIDE” in this context (meaning to nag or hassle) is less common, making this group a bit trickier.
Words: BAR, FOOT, STEP, STOOL
Explanation: Each word can precede “stool” to form a common phrase: barstool, footstool, stepstool, and “stool” itself (as a type of seat). This wordplay-heavy group is a classic purple category challenge.
Rated 3.3 out of 5 for difficulty by the Connections Companion, puzzle strikes a balance between accessible and challenging. The yellow group (DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS) is a great entry point, but the green group (A REAL JERK) can mislead players toward an animal-based connection. The blue group (PESTER) hinges on recognizing “RIDE” as a synonym for nagging, while the purple group (WORDS BEFORE “STOOL”) demands lateral thinking.
