Need a nudge for NYT Connections puzzle #873, dated October 31, 2025? Start with the theme hints below; the four category names and all sixteen answers are in the clearly marked spoiler section.
Hints for Connections #873
Try these clues before revealing the categories or word groups:
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- Yellow: A fairy tale about a girl who tests things until one is “just right.”
- Green: A fairy tale involving a magical transformation, a pumpkin, mice, a slipper, and a wand.
- Blue: A strong sailor associated with spinach.
- Purple: An arcade character associated with a bow, cherries, ghosts, and pellets.
Full answers for October 31, 2025 — spoilers
The answer guides consulted identify this edition as puzzle #873. The four category themes and word sets below are corroborated by two dated guides; no official NYT archive page confirming this historic answer key was located.
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| Color | Category | Words | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | GOLDILOCKS | BEAR, BED, CHAIR, PORRIDGE | Objects in the Goldilocks and the Three Bears tale. |
| Green | CINDERELLA | MOUSE, PUMPKIN, SLIPPER, WAND | Story elements and helpers associated with Cinderella’s transformation. |
| Blue | POPEYE | ANCHOR, CAP, PIPE, SPINACH | Items associated with the sailor Popeye, including spinach, which is linked to his strength. |
| Purple | MS. PAC-MAN | BOW, CHERRIES, GHOST, PELLETS | Recognizable elements associated with the arcade game. |
Why “today” can mean a different puzzle
This answer is anchored to October 31, 2025, and game #873, rather than whichever puzzle is current when you read it. The cited gameplay guide says Connections resets at midnight local time, so “today” can refer to different active puzzle dates across time zones. It describes the game as sixteen words to sort into four groups of four: select four words and submit a guess, with up to four mistakes allowed. Tom’s Guide’s dated gameplay and answer guide provides that reset and gameplay information. A second dated answer guide independently lists the same categories and word sets.
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