Today’s NYT Connections puzzle looks approachable at first glance, filled with familiar words that seem eager to fall into neat groups. But as many players quickly discovered, this grid rewards patience and precision rather than speed.

Puzzle No. 948 leans heavily on subtle word logic. Several terms appear interchangeable on the surface, while others only make sense once you think about how words are commonly paired, rather than what they mean on their own.

Below you’ll find spoiler-free hints first, followed by the answers hidden behind a click-to-reveal. You can stop at any point — or scroll straight to the solution if today’s grid got the better of you.

NYT Connections hints (spoiler-free)

• Yellow (easiest): Words that can all describe something fixed in place or not loose.
• Green: A person or entity that receives goods or services, often used in business or technology.
• Blue: Each word begins with a form of precipitation or moisture.
• Purple (hardest): Each word forms a common phrase when it follows the same missing word.

If the grid felt stubborn, it’s likely because today’s puzzle asks you to focus on usage rather than definition — a classic Connections misdirection.

NYT Connections answers (click to reveal)

Short about today’s puzzle

Connections No. 948 is a strong example of how the game rewards lateral thinking. The most difficult category only clicks once you imagine each word completing the same familiar phrase, while another relies on spotting shared word beginnings rather than shared meanings.

You can play the official daily puzzle, revisit past games, or track your stats on the New York Times Connections page .