NYT Connections Hints Today, November 17, 2025: Hints, Answers, And Category Breakdown

NYT Connections For Today, November 17, 2025: Today’s NYT Connections puzzle for November 17, 2025 is a fun mix of tricky wordplay, and a few surprises. If you’re stuck or just want a little help, this guide gives you everything you need: the full word list, hints, and all the answers. Whether you’re a daily player or jumping in for the first time, these clues and tips will help you solve today’s grid with confidence:

Today's NYT Connections For November 17, 2025, Word List  

Here are the 16 words in today’s Connections grid:

• Taboo

• Slam Dunk

• Go-Getter

• Sure Thing

• Shoo-In

• Scattergories

• Okey-Doke

• Proscribed

• Alley-Oop

• Absolutely

• Verboten

• Fadeaway

• Off-Limits

• Leavening

• Finger Roll

• Of Course 

Today's NYT Connections Hints For November 17, 2025

Here are the short hints for today’s four categories:

• Yellow Group: You Bet

• Green Group: Forbidden

• Blue Group: Basketball Shots

• Purple Group: Synonyms for Scram

Today's NYT Connections Category For November 17, 2025

To help you identify the themes without giving everything away:

• Yellow Group: Phrases you use when you agree firmly. 

• Green Group: Words that describe things that are not allowed. 

• Blue Group: Different ways to score on the court. 

• Purple Group: Words that start with verbs meaning go away.

Don't miss: 7 Wall Colour Combinations That Instantly Make Rooms Look Bigger

Today's NYT Connections For November 17, 2025, Answers 

Here are the full answers for each category:

• Yellow Group: Of Course, Okey-Doke, Sure Thing, Absolutely

• Green Group: Off-Limits, Verboten, Proscribed, Taboo

• Blue Group: Alley-Oop, Slam Dunk, Fadeaway, Finger Roll

• Purple Group: Go-Getter, Shoo-In, Leavening, Scattergories

Don't miss: 5 Tips To Have A Successful Digital Detox As A Gen Z

Tips To Solve NYT Connections For November 17, 2025

Here are a few tips to help you crack today’s (and future) Connections puzzles with more ease:

• Start with the obvious words: Pick the words that feel most familiar or clearly belong together. These usually form the easiest group.

• Look for shared themes: Ask yourself: Do any of these words belong to the same topic? Maybe sports, feelings, actions or phrases.

• Remove groups as you find them: Once you match four words, set them aside. This makes the rest of the puzzle much easier.

• Watch for similar beginnings or endings: Sometimes the clue is in the sound of the word like go, or leave.

• Stay careful with tricky words: Some words look like they fit everywhere. Don’t rush, check if they truly belong with the others.

• If stuck, step back: Take a short break or look at the words fresh. A new angle often helps everything click.

For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi. 

Image credit: New York Times and Freepik