Mastering NYT Connections: Hints & Answers for June 23, 2025

The New York Times’ Connections puzzle #743 for June 23, 2025 invites players to group 16 words into four distinct categories. This article provides helpful hints, complete solutions, and useful tips, presented with clear headings, a table, and lists for easy reading.

Understanding the Mechanics of Connections

Connections challenges players to find four groups of four words each, united by a shared theme. Players get four strikes before the game ends. Categories come in four difficulty levels indicated by color:

• Yellow: Simple, straightforward groups.

• Green: Moderate difficulty.

• Blue: Challenging, requires more thought.

• Purple: The toughest, often nuanced or cultural themes.

Clues to Solve June 23 Puzzle

The groups for today’s puzzle follow this pattern, moving from easiest to hardest:

1. Yellow: Words that convey relaxation and calm.

2. Green: Common minor illnesses or symptoms.

3. Blue: Behaviors characteristic of humpback whales.

4. Purple: Famous nicknames for U.S. cities.

Use these hints to sort the 16 words before checking the full answer below.

Complete Word List and Groupings

Here’s a table showing all words divided into their thematic groups:

Yellow Group: Words That Help You Relax

The yellow group includes EASY, ENOUGH, QUIET, and RELAX — terms often used to soothe or calm a person.

Green Group: Common Minor Ailments

This group contains words like BUG, CHILL, COLD, and COUGH, which relate to minor illnesses or symptoms people frequently experience.

Blue Group: The Actions of Humpback Whales

BREACH, DIVE, SING, and SPOUT describe common behaviors of humpback whales, helping to spot this thematic group easily.

Purple Group: U.S. City Nicknames

Words such as MAGIC, MOTOR, SIN, and WINDY form the last group, referencing well-known nicknames for cities: Birmingham (“Magic City”), Detroit (“Motor City”), Las Vegas (“Sin City”), and Chicago (“Windy City”).

Strategies to Crack Connections Faster

Follow these tips to improve your puzzle-solving skills:

• Begin with the obvious groups: Yellow and green categories usually have clear word associations.

• Process of elimination: Group confirmed words to narrow down options for tougher groups.

• Use the shuffle feature: Changing word positions can help you see patterns better.

• Save complex groups for last: Purple groups often require cultural or contextual knowledge and are easier to spot once others are solved.

Walkthrough Example: Step-by-Step Solution

• Starting with QUIET, the solver connected other calming words like EASY, ENOUGH, and RELAX.

• Next, DIVE pointed towards the whale actions group, so BREACH, SING, and SPOUT were added.

• Words like COLD and COUGH made the minor ailments group clear alongside BUG and CHILL.

• Remaining words MAGIC, MOTOR, SIN, and WINDY easily fit the city nicknames group.

Why This Puzzle is Enjoyable and Educational

• Balanced difficulty: Early groups give quick wins, boosting confidence before tackling harder sets.

• Diverse themes: Incorporates vocabulary, geography, and animal behavior knowledge.

• Strategic challenge: Requires both intuition and logic, making it rewarding.

Summary of June 23 Answers

• Yellow (Relaxation Words): EASY, ENOUGH, QUIET, RELAX

• Green (Minor Illnesses): BUG, CHILL, COLD, COUGH

• Blue (Whale Actions): BREACH, DIVE, SING, SPOUT

• Purple (City Nicknames): MAGIC, MOTOR, SIN, WINDY

Expand Your Puzzle Expertise

• Try other NYT games like Wordle and Mini Crossword.

• Bookmark daily hints and solutions to sharpen your skills.

• Practice recognizing themes and cultural references in puzzles.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Connections Game with These June 23 Hints

The June 23 edition of NYT Connections offers a rewarding blend of straightforward and challenging themes—from calming words and minor ailments to whale behaviors and iconic city nicknames. By leveraging the hints and strategies shared here, you can approach the puzzle with confidence and sharpen your thematic recognition skills.

Remember, starting with easier groups and saving the trickier ones for last is a winning strategy. With practice, these connections will become more intuitive, making each daily puzzle not only a test of knowledge but a fun way to expand your vocabulary and cultural awareness.