Spoiler warning: This guide starts with gentle hints for NYT Connections #701, published May 12, 2025, and reveals the four answers below. Stop before the answer section if you want to solve it yourself.
Hints for Connections #701
Try these clues in order, from broadest to most revealing:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Where you might see a $20.
- Could describe what a ball does after it hits something.
- Certain KPIs—think about what a website measures.
- Related to a body part; these actions use your lips.
Answers for May 12, 2025
Spoilers below. Parade’s dated answer guide identifies this as puzzle #701 and reports these categories and word groups. The guide is an editorial solution source, not an official NYT answer key. See Parade’s May 12 guide.
| Category | Words | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| PLACES TO FIND PAPER MONEY | ATM, CASH REGISTER, TIP JAR, WALLET | Each is a place or container where you might find paper bills. |
| REBOUND | BANK, BOUNCE, CAROM, RICOCHET | Each can describe an object changing direction after an impact. Here, BANK is a verb for a rebound—not a financial institution. |
| THINGS TRACKED BY WEB ANALYTICS | CLICK, HIT, PAGE VIEW, VISIT | These are common measures of activity on a website. |
| THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR LIPS | CURL, PUCKER, PURSE, SMACK | Each is an action made with the lips. |
How Connections works
Connections presents 16 words to sort into four groups of four, with each group sharing a connection. The groups are color-coded by difficulty: yellow is the easiest and purple the trickiest, according to the NYT Games Help Center. The archive reaches back to June 12, 2023; full archive play is available to All Access and Games subscribers. NYT Games is available on the web and in its apps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- [Master Phonics & Spelling Through Play]: These CVC puzzle cards turn learning into an engaging game, focusing on 3-letter words to help kids grasp phonics basics. Each card splits words into individual letter sounds (consonant-vowel-consonant), letting toddlers piece them together to form complete words. This hands-on approach makes it easy for little ones to connect sounds with letters, boosting spelling skills and phonetic awareness in a fun, stress-free way.
- [Ideal for Toddlers to Kindergarteners]: Designed specifically for young learners aged 3 and up, the puzzles feature simple, familiar 3-letter words like "cat," "sun," and "pig." The clear, bold letters and vibrant illustrations (matching each word) keep kids focused, while the manageable difficulty level builds confidence—perfect for transitioning from toddlerhood to preschool and kindergarten.
- [Versatile for Home, Therapy & Classrooms]: Whether used at home for parent-child bonding, in speech therapy sessions to enhance articulation, or as a classroom essential, these puzzles fit seamlessly into various learning environments. They’re great for individual play, small group activities, or guided lessons, making them a flexible tool for educators and therapists alike.
- [Boosts Speech & Early Literacy Skills]: More than just spelling tools, these CVC puzzles support speech development by encouraging kids to sound out words aloud as they assemble them. This practice strengthens pronunciation, vocabulary, and language fluency, making them a valuable resource for speech therapy and early literacy programs.
- [Durable, Safe & Perfect for Skill-Building]: Made from sturdy, kid-friendly materials with smooth edges, the cards withstand frequent use by little hands. Their compact size is easy to store and carry, so learning can happen anywhere—from rainy afternoons at home to travel adventures. As a foundational learning tool, they lay the groundwork for reading readiness, making them a must-have for any early learning toolkit.
Rank #3
- This book filled with word fill-in puzzles: Each puzzle will have words, phrases, and acronyms to use to complete the clueless crossword grid.
- All the fun and mental dexterity of crosswords, without needing to know sports, history, or TV.
- There are over 70 word fill-ins inside the book.
- Spiral bound, 192 pages.




