Launched by The New York Times in 2023, Connections Unlimited is a free online word puzzle game that tests your vocabulary and pattern recognition skills. Each day, a new grid of 16 words appears, and your goal is to sort them into four groups of four based on a common theme. Categories range from straightforward synonyms to tricky wordplay, with colors indicating difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest).
Spoiler alert! If you haven't attempted the puzzle yet, pause here. Below are the complete answers for puzzle #825, grouped by color and theme. We've included explanations for each to help you understand the connections.
Critical
Key
Major
Principal
This category focuses on synonyms for something extremely important. For example, a "key" decision is crucial, just like a "major" event. This was the easiest group for many players, as the words overlap in everyday language.
Confidential
Private
Secret
Stealthy
These words all relate to privacy or discretion. A "secret" meeting is confidential, and moving "stealthily" keeps things private. This green group often trips up players who overlook the subtle links.
Dollar
Pound
Sterling
Won
World currencies unite this blue category. The dollar (U.S.), pound and sterling (UK), and won (South Korea) are all global money units. Note: "Sterling" specifically refers to British currency, often paired with "pound."
Bill
Nickel
Soldier
Wing
The trickiest purple group! Each word begins with "Buffalo": Buffalo Bill (famous Wild West figure), buffalo nickel (U.S. coin), buffalo soldier (historical term for African American regiments), and buffalo wing (spicy chicken snack). This wordplay theme is classic Connections – punny and historical!
As we hit mid-September 2025, Connections continues to dominate word game trends. With over a million daily players, it's more popular than ever, thanks to its shareable results and evolving themes. Puzzle #825's mix of straightforward and clever categories kept things balanced – not too easy, not impossible.
