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NYT Connections puzzle #921, for Thursday, December 18, 2025, asks you to sort 16 words into four groups. Read the hints first for a nudge, or skip to the spoiler-marked answers to check the complete solution.
Hints for Connections #921
These clues reveal the general idea behind each group without listing the tiles. The category labels are spoilers, so stop here if you want only a lighter nudge.
- Yellow: A bit of wishful thinking.
- Green: A protagonist.
- Blue: A component of an arts and crafts project.
- Purple: “Social ___.”
How to approach the trickier words
Look for words that can complete a familiar phrase as well as words with more than one meaning. BUTTERFLY, MEDIA, SECURITY, and WORKER all fit after “social.” That phrase pattern helps separate them from role words: PRINCIPAL can mean a leading character, while HERO, LEAD, and STAR can also refer to a central figure.
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For the remaining groups, consider which words describe imagined or wished-for experiences and which name materials used in a craft project.
#1 Best Overall
ALL4JIG 1500 Piece Rotating Puzzle Board with 4 Drawer 24.92"x33.58"Portable Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Table for Adults,Lazy Susan Spinning Puzzle Boards Birthday Gift for mom,Surface for Bricks Building
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Full answers for Connections #921
Spoilers below: the table gives all four categories and every tile in the solution.
| Color | Category | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Bit of wishful thinking | DAYDREAM, FANCY, FANTASY, ILLUSION |
| Green | Protagonist | HERO, LEAD, PRINCIPAL, STAR |
| Blue | Component of an arts and crafts project | FELT, GLITTER, PIPE CLEANER, POMPOM |
| Purple | Social ___ | BUTTERFLY, MEDIA, SECURITY, WORKER |
All 16 tiles
The grid contains HERO, BUTTERFLY, FELT, FANCY, GLITTER, FANTASY, STAR, MEDIA, DAYDREAM, WORKER, PRINCIPAL, POMPOM, SECURITY, LEAD, PIPE CLEANER, and ILLUSION.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
The Uzzle 3.0 Board Game, Family Board Games for Children & Adults, Block Puzzle Games for Ages 4+
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Spin Master Games Tetris: The Board Game
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Puzzle Board 1500 Pieces,2 in 1 Jigsaw Puzzle Table with Folding Legs
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Rank #2
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Educational Insights Kanoodle
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