Connections Hints
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — September 28, 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.
AEGIS
BACKDOOR
BUFFALO
EXTRA
FLEUR-DE-LIS
GUARD
HORSESHOE
ICE BREAKERS
LIGHTNING BOLT
ORBIT
PROTECTION
SHIELD
TRIDENT
TROJAN HORSE
VIRUS
WORM
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
BACKINGStraightforward
MALICIOUS SOFTWAREModerate
GUM BRANDSTricky
N.F.L. TEAM LOGOSDevious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
BACKINGStraightforward
WORDS MEANING DEFENSE OR COVER FROM HARM+ 3 more…
MALICIOUS SOFTWAREModerate
THESE DIGITAL THREATS CAN INFECT YOUR COMPUTER+ 3 more…
GUM BRANDSTricky
POP A PIECE OF ONE OF THESE IN YOUR MOUTH FOR FRESH BREATH+ 3 more…
N.F.L. TEAM LOGOSDevious
THESE SYMBOLS APPEAR ON NFL TEAM HELMETS OR UNIFORMS+ 3 more…
Full solution
BACKINGStraightforward
AEGIS,GUARD,PROTECTION,SHIELD
AEGIS, GUARD, PROTECTION, and SHIELD all mean backing or defense — providing cover or safety from harm.
MALICIOUS SOFTWAREModerate
BACKDOOR,TROJAN HORSE,VIRUS,WORM
BACKDOOR, TROJAN HORSE, VIRUS, and WORM are all types of malicious software (malware) that can compromise computer systems.
GUM BRANDSTricky
EXTRA,ICE BREAKERS,ORBIT,TRIDENT
EXTRA, ICE BREAKERS, ORBIT, and TRIDENT are all popular chewing gum brands.
N.F.L. TEAM LOGOSDevious
BUFFALO,FLEUR-DE-LIS,HORSESHOE,LIGHTNING BOLT
BUFFALO, FLEUR-DE-LIS, HORSESHOE, and LIGHTNING BOLT are all symbols featured on NFL team logos (Bills, Saints, Colts, and Buccaneers/Chargers respectively).