NYT Connections Answers Breakdown for Nov. 17, 2025 (#890)

By Anish | TechBoltX — Updated: November 17, 2025

🧠 Today’s NYT Connections Overview (#890)

Today’s Connections puzzle is a perfect blend of tricky phrasing, basketball terminology, and one of those classic purple categories where hidden words appear at the start of each answer. If you found the “scram!” group confusing, you’re not alone — this category relies on spotting embedded synonyms rather than direct meanings.

Below are your official hints and full solution breakdowns.

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🔍 Group Hints (Easy → Hard)

🟨 Yellow Hint — You got it!

🟩 Green Hint — Don’t even think about it.

🟦 Blue Hint — Hoops.

🟪 Purple Hint — Get out of here!

These give you a strong sense of tone before you start grouping.

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✅ Today’s NYT Connections Answers (Nov. 17, 2025)

🟨 Yellow Group — “You Bet”

• absolutely
• of course
• okey-doke
• sure thing

All are enthusiastic affirmations — common in casual conversation.

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🟩 Green Group — Forbidden

• off-limits
• proscribed
• taboo
• verboten

Each word signals something that is strictly not allowed.

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🟦 Blue Group — Basketball Shots

• alley-oop
• fadeaway
• finger roll
• slam dunk

A fun set for basketball lovers — every item is a specific type of shot.

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🟪 Purple Group — Starting With Synonyms for “Scram!”

• go-getter
• leavening
• Scattergories
• shoo-in

Here’s the trick:

• go-getter starts with go!
• leavening starts with leave!
• Scattergories starts with scatter!
• shoo-in starts with shoo!

A classic purple-style pattern puzzle.

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❓ Connections FAQs

1. Why are purple categories the hardest?

They often rely on hidden wordplay, homonyms, or embedded patterns.

2. How many mistakes do you get?

You can make four mistakes before the game ends.

3. What time does Connections reset?

Every day at 12 a.m. Eastern Time.

4. Do blue groups always relate to sports?

Not always — but many blue sets are action, movement, or game-themed.

👤 About the Author

Anish is the Founder, Editor & Lead Writer at TechBoltX, known for his detailed daily puzzle guides across Wordle, Connections, Strands, Mini Crossword, and Sports Edition. His breakdowns help readers solve smarter and faster.
Explore more at TechBoltX.com.