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This archived NYT Connections puzzle is for Friday, November 21, 2025, game #894. Start with the four broad hints below if you want a nudge; the complete categories and tile answers follow afterward.
Hints for Connections #894
Try these broad clues before looking at the category names or answers:
- Clothing accessory.
- “Cheers!”
- Animated characters.
- Chow down.
Answers for Friday, November 21, 2025
Spoilers below: the complete grid divides into these four groups.
Yellow: Things worn on lapels
- AWARENESS RIBBON
- BOUTONNIÈRE
- LAPEL PIN
- LAVALIER
Each can be worn or attached around a jacket lapel. Here, “lavalier” means a microphone worn on clothing.
#1 Best Overall
Green: Cocktails
- COSMOPOLITAN
- GREYHOUND
- SCREWDRIVER
- SEA BREEZE
These are all mixed drinks.
Blue: Pixar protagonists
- CLOWNFISH
- GRUMPY OLD MAN
- RACECAR
- TALKING DOLL
The descriptions point to Nemo from Finding Nemo, Carl from Up, Lightning McQueen from Cars, and Woody from Toy Story.
Purple: Starting with synonyms for “eat”
- BOLT CUTTER
- CHOW MEIN
- SCARF RING
- WOLF EEL
Bolt, chow, scarf, and wolf can each be used as a verb meaning “eat.” Pair each with the remaining word to form the four phrases.
Full Connections grid
RACECAR · LAPEL PIN · SCREWDRIVER · WOLF EEL · BOLT CUTTER · GREYHOUND · SCARF RING · GRUMPY OLD MAN · COSMOPOLITAN · LAVALIER · CLOWNFISH · AWARENESS RIBBON · TALKING DOLL · CHOW MEIN · BOUTONNIÈRE · SEA BREEZE
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the puzzle’s categories differ
The first set relies on recognizing items associated with a jacket lapel; the second is a cocktail list; the third uses broad character descriptions rather than names. The purple set hinges on less literal wordplay: each phrase begins with a different verb for eating, though the whole phrase has its own meaning.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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