This is the archived solution for Sunday, November 9, 2025, Connections puzzle #882—not the current daily puzzle. Hints come first, followed by category names and the complete answer sets, so stop wherever you want to avoid spoilers. Multiple puzzle guides agree on the answers; an official New York Times answer key was not established.
Hints for Connections #882
Try these broad clues before revealing the category names or words:
- Yellow: Self-care essentials.
- Green: Like sardines.
- Blue: I’m thinking.
- Purple: Animals of the avian variety.
Category names
- Yellow: PERSONAL GROOMING ITEMS
- Green: PACKED
- Blue: PONDER
- Purple: START WITH BIRD HOMOPHONES
Connections #882 answers
| Color | Category | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | PERSONAL GROOMING ITEMS | BRUSH, MIRROR, NAIL FILE, TWEEZERS |
| Green | PACKED | COMPACT, DENSE, THICK, TIGHT |
| Blue | PONDER | DELIBERATE, MUSE, NOODLE, REFLECT |
| Purple | START WITH BIRD HOMOPHONES | CRANIUM, CRONUT, LUNAR, PUFNSTUF |
Why the tricky words fit
COMPACT belongs with PACKED
COMPACT can describe something closely filled or compressed, which puts it with DENSE, THICK, and TIGHT. Its association with a makeup compact can make it look like a grooming item; MIRROR is the word that completes that set.
The purple words begin with bird-name sounds
Each answer starts with a sound-alike for a bird: CRANIUM begins with crane, CRONUT with crow, LUNAR with loon, and PUFNSTUF with puffin.
#1 Best Overall
The blue words point to careful thought
DELIBERATE, MUSE, NOODLE, and REFLECT all mean or suggest thinking something over.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources
TechRadar, Parade, and Yahoo Tech published guides that agree on the November 9, 2025 date, puzzle number, categories, and answers: TechRadar, Parade, and Yahoo Tech.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
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