Connectionsis back, and today’s puzzle is a doozy. If you are looking for a challenge, you’ll find it when you attempt to sort all sixteen of these words into the right categories. But if it’s a little too much for you, this article is here to help.
If you are looking for general hints, spoilers, or even the full answer, you can find all that and more in the sections below. Scroll down to see everything you’ll need to solve thischallenging puzzle gameyourself.
Words in the NYT Connections Puzzle #542 for July 22, 2025
TheConnectionspuzzle for today contains the words:Pan, Pine Tree, Lead, Candle, Compass, Loofah, Turntable, Shepherd, Atlas, Toiletries, Echo, Guide, Sewing Kit, Helen, Direct,andJohnson.
Hints for the NYT Connections Puzzle
If you are in need of a couple of hints for thisfree browser-based puzzle game, you’re able to find some below. Open up these expandable sections with the Read More button below each one.
Some General Hints for the Whole Connections Puzzle
Here are some hints:
None of these are about repeating vowels or certain letters. But one of them is about parts of a word.
None of these groups are about things you keep in the bathroom or need for a shower.
- Helen and Pan are in the same group.
Yellow NYT Connections Category Hints
Here are some hints for the yellow/straightforward answer in thisminimalist puzzle game:Drive, govern, helm.
Yellow Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the yellow/straightforwardConnectionsisSteer.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Direct, Guide, Lead, Shepherd.
Green NYT Connections Category Hints
Here are some hints for the green/medium difficulty answer:Works only with needle/s.
Green Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the green/medium difficultyConnectionsisThings with Needle/s.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Compass, Pine Tree, Sewing Kit, Turntable.
Blue Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the blue/difficultConnectionsisFigures in Greek Myth.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Atlas, Echo, Helen, Pan.
Purple NYT Connections Category Hints
Here are some hints for the purple/tricky answer:Other things you could put in this category: Potato, Headache, Candies.
Purple Connections Category Answer
The category for the purple/tricky difficulty inConnectionsisStarting With Synonyms for Lavatory.
Purple Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the purple/tricky difficulty in thisNew York TimesConnectionsisStarting With Synonyms for Lavatory.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Candle, Johnson, Loofah, Toiletries.
Answers for Today’s NYT Connections #542 for July 12, 2025
If you want to see the answer to thismind-boggling puzzle game, you should open up the section below. Inside are all the categories and the words that go inside them.
Want to play? Check out theNew York Times Games Connectionswebsite available on almost any device with a browser.
