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NYT Connections puzzle #657, dated March 29, 2025, groups 16 words into four sets: fancy-dining materials, kinds of shorts, nouns in a famous palindrome, and movies from 1985. Start with the spoiler-free clues below, or jump to the answer key when you’re ready to reveal the groups.
Spoiler-free hints for Connections #657
The reported clue order runs from yellow to purple. Each clue points to a category of four words, without giving away the words themselves.
- Materials associated with fancy dining.
- Kinds of shorts.
- Nouns in a famous palindrome.
- Movies from 1985.
The 16 words in the grid
Silver, Bike, Boxer, Panama, Bermuda, Clue, Man, Commando, Crystal, Brazil, Witness, China, Plan, Cargo, Linen, and Canal.
Full answer key
Spoilers below: the complete groups and their categories follow.
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#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| Materials associated with fancy dining | China, Crystal, Linen, Silver |
| Kinds of shorts | Bermuda, Bike, Boxer, Cargo |
| Nouns in a famous palindrome | Canal, Man, Panama, Plan |
| Movies from 1985 | Brazil, Clue, Commando, Witness |
Why the groups fit
Fancy-dining materials
China, Crystal, Linen, and Silver are materials or tableware associated with a formal meal.
Kinds of shorts
Bermuda, Bike, Boxer, and Cargo each name a kind of shorts.
Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Nouns in the palindrome
Canal, Man, Panama, and Plan are the nouns in “A man, a plan, a canal: Panama.”
Movies from 1985
Brazil, Clue, Commando, and Witness are the four films in the movie category.
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Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to use the hints without spoiling the puzzle
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four. If you’re still solving, read only the clue list, then return to the answer key after you’ve made your guesses. Yahoo’s coverage reports that four mistakes reveal the answers; that rule detail is reported by a secondary source, not an official game-rules page.
The puzzle number, word list, and groups are corroborated by Yahoo’s coverage, the Connections Answer archive, and WordHint’s guide. These are secondary answer pages; an official NYT puzzle page was not available among the cited sources.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
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