NYT Connections Hints Today — Answers & Clues for November 17, 2025

Puzzle lovers were left emotional and buzzing after today’s NYT Connections challenge revealed its jaw-dropping categories and answers.

On November 17, 2025, game #890 shocked fans with bold word associations ranging from basketball shots to synonyms for “scram,” leaving players speechless.

NYT Connections is the viral word association game from The New York Times, following in the footsteps of Wordle.

Players must sort 16 words into four categories — yellow, green, blue, and purple — based on difficulty. Today’s puzzle was rated a 3 out of 5 in difficulty, making it tricky but not impossible.

Lavish Categories and Clues

Here were today’s jaw-dropping hints:

• 🟨 Yellow hint: Definitely
• 🟩 Green hint: Not allowed
• 🟦 Blue hint: Basketball terms
• 🟪 Purple hint: Starts with scram synonyms

Fans immediately began speculating online, with many calling the purple category “emotional and shocking.”

Fan Reactions

Social media lit up with viral commentary.

One player wrote: “NYT Connections leaves me speechless — scram synonyms were the hardest twist yet.” Another added: “This is shocking. Basketball shots made me feel like I was watching the NBA Finals.”

Today’s Answers

Here are the official answers for November 17, 2025:

• 🟨 “YOU BET”: ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE, OKEY-DOKE, SURE THING
• 🟩 FORBIDDEN: OFF-LIMITS, PROSCRIBED, TABOO, VERBOTEN
• 🟦 BASKETBALL SHOTS: ALLEY-OOP, FADEAWAY, FINGER ROLL, SLAM DUNK
• 🟪 STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “SCRAM!”: GO-GETTER, LEAVENING, SCATTERGORIES, SHOO-IN

Why It Hits Harder

The puzzle’s emotional mix of everyday language, sports terms, and playful synonyms made it a viral talking point.

Fans compared strategies, debating the best starting words and sharing heartfelt reactions about how the categories tested their logic.

Cultural Impact

Like Wordle, NYT Connections has become a cultural obsession, sparking daily conversations across social media.

From celebrities like Kris Jenner flaunting their puzzle streaks to everyday fans celebrating wins, the game continues to dominate viral entertainment.

With its shocking categories and emotional twists, NYT Connections Nov 17 puzzle leaves fans speechless — proving once again why word games remain a cultural phenomenon.