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Connections Hints for September 25, 2025 #836

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for September 25, 2025 #836

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Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.

Yellow Category — September 25, 2025

Green Category — September 25, 2025

Blue Category — September 25, 2025

Purple Category — September 25, 2025

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Purple group — NAMED "APOLLO"

Why is “FICTIONAL BOXER” in the Purple group?

a boxer in a work of fiction, named Apollo, such as in the movie Rocky

Purple group — NAMED "APOLLO"

Why is “THEATER” in the Purple group?

a theater named after the Greek god Apollo, often associated with the arts

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (September 25, 2025)

Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.

LEFT
Definition: politically liberal or oriented to the left side
Why it's tricky: can refer to either direction or politics
MARTIAN
Definition: relating to the planet Mars, especially in the context of a Matt Damon movie
Why it's tricky: could be confused with the general term for something from Mars
PROGRESSIVE
Definition: a political ideology advocating for social reform
Why it's tricky: can also refer to something that is advancing or moving forward
SPLIT
Definition: a type of ice cream dessert
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including to divide or separate

Connections #836 explained

Why these words connect (September 25, 2025)

Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.

Yellow group: LEFT-LEANING, POLITICALLY

These words are all terms used to describe individuals or ideologies that lean to the left side of the political spectrum, often associated with liberal or progressive values.

Green group: ICE CREAM PARLOR ORDERS

These words are all types of orders that can be placed at an ice cream parlor, including containers and styles of ice cream.

Blue group: MATT DAMON MOVIES, WITH "THE"

These words are all titles of movies starring Matt Damon, with the added specification that they start with the word 'The'.

Purple group: NAMED "APOLLO"

These words are all things that have been named 'Apollo', including a Greek god, a spacecraft, a theater, and a fictional boxer.

Red herrings and trap words explained

These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.

BLUE

Seems like it belongs to: ICE CREAM PARLOR ORDERS

Actually belongs to: LEFT-LEANING, POLITICALLY

Blue is a color often associated with liberal politics, but it could also be a flavor of ice cream.

CUP

Seems like it belongs to: MATT DAMON MOVIES, WITH "THE"

Actually belongs to: ICE CREAM PARLOR ORDERS

A cup can be a container for ice cream, but it could also be a trophy or award, potentially misleading solvers to think of a movie title.

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “BLUE” didn't go with ICE CREAM PARLOR ORDERS

Seems like: ICE CREAM PARLOR ORDERS → Actually: LEFT-LEANING, POLITICALLY

Blue is a color often associated with liberal politics, but it could also be a flavor of ice cream.

Why “CUP” didn't go with MATT DAMON MOVIES, WITH "THE"

Seems like: MATT DAMON MOVIES, WITH "THE" → Actually: ICE CREAM PARLOR ORDERS

A cup can be a container for ice cream, but it could also be a trophy or award, potentially misleading solvers to think of a movie title.

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