The NYT Connections Puzzle #865 for October 23, 2025, is now live, offering players a new linguistic challenge. The daily 16-word grid tests players’ ability to link terms by theme, with today’s puzzle featuring a mix of easy and difficult categories. Released globally via The New York Times Games platform, the puzzle continues to attract tens of thousands of players daily.
Solving NYT Connections Puzzle #865
Today’s Connections puzzle followed the classic four-category structure. The yellow category grouped positive slang terms — DANDY, DUCKY, FINE, and SWELL.
The green category focused on words related to “winnings”, including KITTY, POT, PRIZE, and PURSE.
The blue category tested players’ sports knowledge, grouping BALL, BIRDIE, PUCK, and STONE under “pieces of Olympic sports equipment.”
Finally, the purple category, the most difficult of the day, required identifying words that pair with “bag”: DOGGY, GO, MIXED, and SWAG.
Fans and Analysts Weigh In
According to community discussions on Reddit’s r/NYTConnections and puzzle forums, players described today’s grid as “moderately challenging,” with the purple group stumping most solvers. Puzzle analysts noted the editor’s continued trend of using familiar terms in unexpected combinations, making each day’s puzzle unpredictable.
A regular player commented, “The ‘bag’ theme was a curveball — it felt satisfying once I spotted the link.”
Strategy and Difficulty Trends
Puzzle #865 continued the recent pattern of increasing difficulty in midweek editions. The blue and purple categories demanded broader associative thinking and sports-related vocabulary. Analysts suggest that the Connections team at The New York Times is refining puzzle balance to maintain engagement and difficulty parity with games like Wordle and Spelling Bee.
Solvers who rely too heavily on literal meanings may struggle; experts recommend frequent use of the shuffle button to spark new associations.
Tomorrow’s NYT Connections Puzzle #866
The next puzzle, Connections #866, will release on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 3 a.m. ET. Players can access it via The New York Times Games app or at nytimes.com/games. Fans are encouraged to review past puzzles to identify recurring patterns and improve daily performance.
