Connections Hints

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — August 16, 2025

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Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
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Word grid

All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.

CONSTRUCTION
CREAM
CREPE
CRUSH
FORTITUDE
GRIT
PLUCK
REPAIRS
RESOLVE
ROLLING
ROUT
SHELLAC
TISSUE
TOILET
UPGRADES
WORK
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Themes

The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.

INTREPIDITYStraightforward
RENOVATIONSModerate
TROUNCETricky
KINDS OF SOFT/LIGHTWEIGHT PAPERDevious
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One word per group

Theme name plus one word from each category.

INTREPIDITYStraightforward
WORDS MEANING COURAGE OR DETERMINATION IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULTY+ 3 more…
RENOVATIONSModerate
THINGS HAPPENING WHEN A BUILDING IS BEING FIXED UP OR IMPROVED+ 3 more…
TROUNCETricky
VERBS MEANING TO DEFEAT SOMEONE DECISIVELY AND COMPLETELY+ 3 more…
KINDS OF SOFT/LIGHTWEIGHT PAPERDevious
EACH OF THESE WORDS CAN PRECEDE 'PAPER' TO NAME A THIN, DELICATE VARIETY+ 3 more…
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Full solution
INTREPIDITYStraightforward
FORTITUDE,GRIT,PLUCK,RESOLVE

FORTITUDE, GRIT, PLUCK, and RESOLVE are all synonyms for bravery, courage, or tenacity — collectively captured by the word INTREPIDITY.

RENOVATIONSModerate
CONSTRUCTION,REPAIRS,UPGRADES,WORK

CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS, UPGRADES, and WORK are all things associated with RENOVATIONS — the process of improving or restoring a building.

TROUNCETricky
CREAM,CRUSH,ROUT,SHELLAC

CREAM, CRUSH, ROUT, and SHELLAC are all informal verbs meaning to TROUNCE — to defeat an opponent by a large margin.

KINDS OF SOFT/LIGHTWEIGHT PAPERDevious
CREPE,ROLLING,TISSUE,TOILET

CREPE, ROLLING, TISSUE, and TOILET can all precede 'paper' to name specific kinds of soft or lightweight paper: crepe paper, rolling paper, tissue paper, and toilet paper.

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