The date and puzzle number in “October 17, Solution #857” do not match: answer archives list Connections #857 for October 15, 2025, and October 17’s puzzle as #859. The groups below give both solutions so you can use the one that matches your grid.
Connections #857 answers for October 15, 2025
Two answer archives identify #857 as the October 15 puzzle. Its four groups are:
| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| Types of pools | INFINITY, KIDDIE, KIDNEY, OLYMPIC |
| In the NATO phonetic alphabet | BRAVO, DELTA, GOLF, LIMA |
| Ford models | BRONCO, FIESTA, MUSTANG, PINTO |
| ___ Seal | ELEPHANT, GREAT, NAVY, VACUUM |
Sources: Answer archive and cross-check archive.
If you meant the October 17, 2025 puzzle
October 17 is listed as puzzle #859, not #857. Its answer groups are:
| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| Used during a presentation | CLICKER, LASER POINTER, PROJECTOR, SLIDES |
| Items in a souvenir shop | FIGURINE, KEY RING, MAGNET, POSTCARD |
| Folktale characters | CHICKEN LITTLE, JACK, THUMBELINA, TOM THUMB |
| Weather terms | BEAUFORT SCALE, DEWPOINT, HEAT INDEX, WIND CHILL |
Sources: Answer archive and cross-check archive.
Which solution should you use?
- If the puzzle number on your grid is #857, use the October 15 answer set.
- If you played the October 17 puzzle, use #859’s answer set.
The consulted archives agree on this date-and-number mapping, but they are secondary answer archives rather than a directly verified New York Times source.
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