Hey, puzzle lovers! If you’re diving into the New York Times’ Connections game for July 23, 2025, you’re in for a treat with puzzle #773. This daily word game has us all hooked, challenging us to group 16 words into four categories based on hidden connections. Some days, it feels like a breeze; others, it’s a real brain teaser. Today’s puzzle, rated 2.8 out of 5 for difficulty by the Connections Companion, leans toward the trickier side. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back with some spoiler-free hints to guide you through, plus a few tips to keep your streak alive. Let’s break it down!
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Understanding the NYT Connections Game
If you’re new to Connections, here’s the deal: you’re presented with a 4×4 grid of 16 words, and your job is to sort them into four groups of four, each sharing a common theme. The categories are color-coded by difficulty—yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest). You’ve got four mistakes before it’s game over, so choose wisely! The beauty of Connections is its mix of logic and creativity, with themes ranging from straightforward synonyms to clever wordplay. Today’s puzzle #773, released at midnight on July 23, 2025, has a mix of themes that’ll test your pattern-spotting skills. Ready for some hints?
Yellow Group: Spooky Stories for Campfire Nights
Let’s start with the yellow group, the easiest of the bunch. Think about those creepy tales you’d hear around a campfire as a kid—the kind that made you pull the blankets over your head. The words in this group are all about figures that inspire a bit of dread. Look for words that evoke that eerie, mythical vibe, like creatures or entities you might imagine lurking in the shadows. One hint: none of these are actual animals, despite what their names might suggest. Scan the grid for terms that sound like they belong in a ghost story, and you’ll nail this category in no time.
Green Group: Sizzling Choices at the Steakhouse
Moving on to the green group, which is a bit meatier—pun intended! This category revolves around something you’d find on a fancy restaurant menu, specifically related to how you like your protein cooked. Think about terms you’d hear when ordering at a steakhouse. These words are specific cuts or types of meat, so if you’re a foodie, this one might click quickly. If not, focus on words that sound like they could be served with a side of mashed potatoes. Keep an eye out for terms that might double as other things (like a tool or a building), but in this context, they’re all about food.
Blue Group: Navigating the Home-Buying Maze
The blue group steps up the challenge a bit, focusing on something practical but maybe less familiar unless you’ve been through it. These words are all tied to the process of buying a home. Think about the paperwork, processes, or services your real estate agent might mention when you’re signing your life away for a mortgage. If you’ve ever dealt with property transactions, these terms will feel familiar. Look for words that sound financial or procedural, and you’ll start to see the connection. This group might take a moment to click, but once it does, it’s satisfying.
Purple Group: Animals with a Twist
Finally, the purple group—the trickiest of them all. This one’s a bit devious, as it involves animals, but not in the way you might first think. The words here are names of animals that have a unique naming quirk: their common names repeat their own species in a way. It’s like a wordplay puzzle within a puzzle. For example, one might sound like a Pokémon, but it’s a real creature (hint: it’s a clam!). Focus on words that seem like animal names but have a compound structure. This group often trips people up, so save it for last if you’re stuck.
Tips to Master Today’s Puzzle
To conquer puzzle #773, start with the yellow group to build confidence, then move to green. Shuffle the board if you’re stuck—it can break up deceptive word pairings. Pay attention to words with multiple meanings, like those that could fit in more than one category, and use the process of elimination for the purple group. If you’re still struggling, check out the Connections Companion on the NYT website for community tips, but beware of spoilers! With a bit of patience and these hints, you’ll keep your streak alive. Happy puzzling, and let me know how you did in the comments!