NYT Connections Today: Hints and Answers for June 28, 2025

If you're someone who enjoys word games, Connections by The New York Times offers the perfect daily challenge. This engaging puzzle requires players to group 16 seemingly unrelated words into four categories of connected meaning. The game is part of the NYT's growing digital puzzle lineup and has quickly become a fan favorite — second only to Wordle.

Launched in beta on June 12, 2023, Connections has since drawn a loyal following, offering a fun yet mentally stimulating way to build vocabulary and test cognitive agility.

🔍 What Is NYT Connections?

Connections is a daily word puzzle created by Wyna Liu, Associate Puzzle Editor at The New York Times. Players are presented with a 4x4 grid of words and must identify four groups of four that share a common connection. These connections can range from literal categories to more abstract or playful word associations.

The puzzle features three difficulty levels: Easy (Yellow), Medium (Green and Blue), and Hard (Purple). The game not only strengthens language skills but also adds a competitive twist by encouraging players to maintain daily streaks and share scores on social media.

🧠 Hints for Today’s NYT Connections (June 28, 2025)

If you're looking for a little nudge before revealing the full answers, here are some subtle hints to help guide your thinking:

• Yellow: Keeps a doggo entertained
• Green: Refers to a large quantity
• Blue: Consequences of breaking road rules
• Purple: Pioneers of a transformative era

🟨 Today’s Puzzle Categories & Answers

YELLOW – THINGS A DOG CAN FETCH

BALL, BONE, FRISBEE, STICK

GREEN – GREAT MANY

DROVE, HOST, LOAD, SCORE

BLUE – POSSIBLE RESULTS OF A TRAFFIC VIOLATION

BOOT, POINTS, TICKET, TOW

PURPLE – INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION INVENTORS

BELL, DIESEL, SINGER, WATT

🎮 How to Play NYT Connections

Each day at midnight, a new puzzle is released. Your goal is to group the 16 provided words into four categories of connected meaning. The challenge lies in identifying the one correct solution, as some words may seem like they fit multiple categories.

You can play the game on both the NYT website and mobile app. When forming a group, select four words and press "Submit." A correct group will be highlighted in one of four colors, with yellow usually being the easiest and purple often the trickiest — frequently involving wordplay or historical knowledge.

Be careful: you only get four chances before the game ends. But if you’re close, the game may give you a hint that you’re just one word off — helping you edge closer to the right answer.

Whether you’re playing solo, challenging friends, or sharing your streak online, Connections is a clever and rewarding way to give your brain a daily boost.