It’s the weekend! If your brain’s still waking up from the post–Fourth of July haze, a round of Connections from the New York Times might be the perfect jumpstart. Whether you’re a puzzle fanatic or just casually crushing boxes of clues, today’s puzzle offers a clever mix of misdirects, wordplay, and thematic traps that make Connections one of the most addictive games in the NYT lineup—second only to the iconic Crossword.
So, whether you’ve hit a wall or just want a hint before you burn your last try, we’ve got you covered with today’s clues and answers. Let’s get right into it.
What Is NYT Connections?
Connections is the New York Times’ daily puzzle game that challenges you to group 16 words into four connected categories of four. These “connections” may be related by theme, usage, category, or even pop culture nods. As the puzzle progresses, so does the difficulty—starting from Yellow (easiest) to Green, Blue, and then Purple (hardest).
But be careful—you only get four wrong guesses before the game ends, so it’s not just about matching words, but spotting hidden patterns.
Also read: NYT Strands Hints and Answer for Saturday, July 5, 2025
Today’s NYT Connections Hints For July, 5
Need a gentle nudge before you dive in? Here are today’s four group themes—just a taste of what ties them together:
- Yellow Group – Don’t fall for it
- Green Group – Delicious process
- Blue Group – Lovelorn
- Purple Group – Check them off
And here are the 16 words from today’s board:
SHORT, PINE, FOLD, LAUNDRY, LONG, BUCKET, BURN, STING, TO-DO, SCHEME, STIR, RACKET, BEAT, ITCH, HUSTLE, BLEND
At first glance, you might be tempted to make a group out of LAUNDRY, BUCKET, FOLD, BEAT—maybe cleaning tasks? But don’t fall for the bait. The puzzle today is all about distraction.
Today’s NYT Connections Answers For July, 5
Let’s break down each group in today’s puzzle, along with the full set of matching words:
Yellow Group – Con Game
This group tricks you—literally. These words are all related to fraud or schemes used to deceive others:
- HUSTLE
- RACKET
- SCHEME
- STING
This one may have thrown some players off. RACKET might sound like tennis equipment, and STING could feel more like an insect-related clue. But in the world of crime lingo, each of these is used to describe scams or elaborate deceptions. Think of police sting operations or financial rackets.
Green Group – Combine, as Baking Ingredients
This is the most straightforward (and likely easiest) of the bunch today. These verbs are often seen in recipes:
- BEAT
- BLEND
- FOLD
- STIR
If you’ve ever baked anything, you probably recognized this quickly. Though FOLD can be confusing—especially with LAUNDRY lurking on the board—“folding” is a common and precise baking action, often used when mixing ingredients like egg whites or flour without losing air.
Blue Group – Yearn
This is where the puzzle starts to sting—literally and emotionally. These words are all about longing or deep desire:
- BURN
- ITCH
- LONG
- PINE
PINE and LONG are classic words associated with yearning, especially in poetic or romantic contexts. BURN and ITCH give the puzzle a twist, metaphorically capturing the intensity of desire. It might’ve been easy to confuse ITCH with a physical sensation rather than a metaphorical craving.
Related:
Purple Group – Kinds of Lists
This one was clever. All four of these are types of lists you might encounter in different aspects of life:
- BUCKET
- LAUNDRY
- SHORT
- TO-DO
While TO-DO is an obvious give-away, LAUNDRY list and BUCKET list are both common expressions. A SHORT list is often used in awards or job selections. This category required lateral thinking, especially if you were stuck viewing LAUNDRY literally.
Also read: Quordle Hints And Answers For Saturday, July 5 (Game #1258)
Final Thoughts
Today’s puzzle was deceptively tricky. While the Green group helped players find footing, the rest of the puzzle relied heavily on interpreting words metaphorically—“ITCH” as longing, “STING” as a con, and “LAUNDRY” as a list.
Each group had at least one potential red herring. That’s what makes Connections so satisfying—just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it throws a curveball.
How did you do today? Did any words stump you? Let us know your streak or share with friends who can’t resist the daily word grind.
