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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →This is an archived guide to the Friday, September 26, 2025, NYT Connections puzzle, game #838—not the current daily puzzle. Start with the board, then use the color-ordered hints before opening the full solution.
Game #838 puzzle board
Find four groups of four words that share a connection:
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BLONDE · SUN · WORD · PALE · DIM · CREAM · BROWN · RICE · BLACK · LIGHT · FAINT · BEAT · WHISK · POLAR · POOL · WHIP
Hints, from least to most revealing
These clues follow the puzzle’s color order without giving away the answers:
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- Yellow: Mixing methods
- Green: Unclear
- Blue: Yogi’s relatives
- Purple: Opposite of “clean”
Full answers for Connections #838
Spoilers below. The category labels and their four words are revealed here.
- Yellow — STIR VIGOROUSLY: BEAT, CREAM, WHIP, WHISK
- Green — HARD TO MAKE OUT: DIM, FAINT, LIGHT, PALE
- Blue — KINDS OF BEARS: BLACK, BROWN, POLAR, SUN
- Purple — DIRTY ___: BLONDE, POOL, RICE, WORD
How the game works
Connections asks players to sort 16 items into four groups of four based on a shared link. The groups are color-coded by difficulty, and the guide says players can make up to four mistakes. It describes the game as playable through NYT Games on desktop or mobile; access conditions may change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How hard was this puzzle?
TechRadar’s guide author rated this puzzle “Hard” and reported making one mistake. That is the author’s experience, not a universal difficulty rating.
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- The Ultimate Brain Games And Puzzles Book For Adults: Tricky But Fun Brain Teasers, Trivia Challenges, Crosswords, Word Searches And Much More To Keep Your Mind Young And Engaged
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