New York Times Connections Puzzle Challenges Players on February 11

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Times published its challenging daily Connections puzzle for February 11, 2025, testing players’ wits with tricky categories.

Today’s puzzle, identified as No. 611, introduced four sets of connected words, each categorized by varying levels of difficulty. Players must group 16 offered words into four categories of four words each, which share a thematic connection. The color-coded categories range from Yellow (easiest) to Purple (hardest).

Gael Cooper, an editor at CNET and a veteran journalist, noted the difficulty inherent in today’s puzzle. “The green category threw me off completely, and some of the other ones weren’t any easier,” she explained. Cooper has contributed to various platforms, including Mpls.St. Paul Magazine and NBC News Digital.

With players seeking assistance, here are the hints for today’s puzzle, arranged by increasing difficulty:

• Yellow Group Hint: Pull away from.
• Green Group Hint: A guy.
• Blue Group Hint: Stretch out.
• Purple Group Hint: Worn on your head.

Correspondingly, the answers to these category hints are as follows:

• Yellow Group: Wrest (Jerk, Tug, Wrench, Yank)
• Green Group: Buster (Bub, Bud, Jack, Man)
• Blue Group: Yoga Accessories (Block, Bolster, Mat, Strap)
• Purple Group: ____ Cap (Hub, Knee, Mad, Night)

The primary theme within the categories includes physical actions, personal titles, fitness items, and associated words for headwear. Players are encouraged to explore connections carefully, as appearances can be deceptive.

Cooper stressed the importance of verbalizing the clue words, stating, “Say the clue words out loud, pausing before and after each.” This tactic can help identify relationships among the words, a useful tactic considering the intricate nature of the game.

Additionally, players are reminded not to assume obvious groupings. “The Connections editors love to group words together that are used in similar phrasing, like ____ Up,” she noted.

Though the puzzle has its challenges, participants are invited to try again tomorrow or join in the daily fun of this engaging word game, which requires both skill and strategic thinking.