Connections Hints
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — December 10, 2025
Jump to a hint level
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
← Back to hint toolLoad any date with the interactive hint ladder
Word grid
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
CANDY
COPY
DEAR
DUMMY
DUPE
FAKE
GRACIOUS
HEAVENS
LOLLY
MERCY
SUCKER
SWEET
WHY
YEAR
YELLOW
YES
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
"MY GOODNESS!"Straightforward
IMITATIONModerate
CONFECTIONTricky
WHAT "Y" MIGHT MEANDevious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
"MY GOODNESS!"Straightforward
EXCLAMATIONS OF SURPRISE OR DISMAY+ 3 more…
IMITATIONModerate
WORDS MEANING A KNOCKOFF OR FRAUD+ 3 more…
CONFECTIONTricky
SWEET TREATS YOU MIGHT FIND AT A CANDY SHOP+ 3 more…
WHAT "Y" MIGHT MEANDevious
THINGS THE LETTER Y COULD STAND FOR AS AN ABBREVIATION+ 3 more…
Full solution
"MY GOODNESS!"Straightforward
DEAR,GRACIOUS,HEAVENS,MERCY
DEAR, GRACIOUS, HEAVENS, and MERCY are all old-fashioned exclamations meaning 'My goodness!' expressing surprise or mild shock.
IMITATIONModerate
COPY,DUMMY,DUPE,FAKE
COPY, DUMMY, DUPE, and FAKE all mean an imitation or counterfeit version of something.
CONFECTIONTricky
CANDY,LOLLY,SUCKER,SWEET
CANDY, LOLLY, SUCKER, and SWEET are all words for confections — sugary treats or sweets.
WHAT "Y" MIGHT MEANDevious
WHY,YEAR,YELLOW,YES
The letter Y can be an abbreviation for WHY (phonetic), YEAR, YELLOW, and YES — each a common shorthand use of the letter Y.