NYT Connections puzzle #853 was published on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Start with the spoiler-free clues below, then continue for the category names and complete word groups.
Hints for Connections #853
Try these clues in order. Stop whenever you have enough to solve the board yourself.
- One group is about equipment or useful items.
- Another collects ways to dress.
- Look for types of residential roads.
- The final group contains familiar short names that can also mean other things.
Category names
Spoilers begin here: the four categories are EQUIPMENT, DRESS IN, STREET SUFFIXES, and NICKNAMES THAT HAVE OTHER MEANINGS.
Full answers for October 11
| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT | GEAR, KIT, STUFF, TACKLE |
| DRESS IN | DON, PUT ON, SPORT, WEAR |
| STREET SUFFIXES | ALLEY, COURT, LANE, WAY |
| NICKNAMES THAT HAVE OTHER MEANINGS | BILL, BOB, PAT, TOM |
Parade and TechRadar identify this as puzzle #853 and report the same four groups: Parade’s October 11 answers and TechRadar’s game #853 guide.
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Why some words can mislead
Several words seem to fit more than one idea. DON and WAY can also be nicknames with other meanings, while BOB can suggest a piece of equipment. The intended solution separates them into the four groups above; those tempting alternate readings are not the puzzle’s final groupings.
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