NYT Connections #856 is the puzzle for Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Use the hints below in order to get progressively closer to its four groups, or skip to the answer key for the full solution.
Hints for Connections #856
Stop at the level you need before reading the answer groups.
- Broad hints: You have my attention. Give me the rundown. _____! Who goes there? Think animals.
- Category clues: One group is about grabbing someone’s attention; another is a short version or outline of information. A third means “hold it right there.” The final group uses animal names with an initial letter removed.
Answers for Tuesday, October 14, 2025
The 16 words divide into four intended groups of four:
CAPTIVATE
- ABSORB
- ENGAGE
- HOLD
- OCCUPY
SUMMARY
- BRIEF
- DIGEST
- OUTLINE
- REVIEW
HALT
- CHECK
- CURB
- STAUNCH
- STEM
ANIMALS MINUS STARTING LETTER
- ANTHER
- EASEL
- HARK
- LAMA
Why the purple group works
Each answer is an animal name with its first letter removed: PANTHER becomes ANTHER, WEASEL becomes EASEL, SHARK becomes HARK, and LLAMA becomes LAMA. The other three groups are synonym sets: words for captivating someone, a summary, and stopping or restraining something.
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How the game works
Connections gives players 16 entries to arrange into four groups of four. Forbes contributor Kris Holt describes the grid as sometimes containing “phrases, symbols or numbers” as well as words. The game allows up to three incorrect guesses; a fourth ends the game. Forbes reports that it is playable on the NYT website or Games app, and that replaying archived Connections puzzles requires Games or All Access subscription access.
This is a historical answer key for October 14, 2025, rather than the current daily puzzle. Parade’s October 14 coverage and Forbes’ October 13 article, updated October 14, agree on the date, category labels, and answer set.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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