Purple group — STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
Why is “CHIMERA” in the Purple group?
a mythical creature that is also a word that starts with a percussion instrument
Connections Hints for December 16, 2025 #918
Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for December 16, 2025 #918
Want to see NYT Connections hints? Below you'll find complete solutions and explanations. Want to try solving it yourself first? Visit the NYT Connections game 2025-12-16. Looking for today's NYT Connections hint? Head to our home page or play today's connection game here.
Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.
Yellow Category — December 16, 2025
Green Category — December 16, 2025
Blue Category — December 16, 2025
Purple Category — December 16, 2025
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Blue group — HITCHCOCK MOVIES
Why is “LIFEBOAT” in the Blue group?
a 1944 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (December 16, 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.
- BELLHOP
- Definition: a hotel employee who carries guests' luggage
- Why it's tricky: can be confused with a percussion instrument
- CHIMERA
- Definition: a mythical creature, but also a word that starts with a percussion instrument
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings and can be misleading
- DRUMROLL
- Definition: a roll on a drum, but also an idiomatic expression
- Why it's tricky: can be confused with a literal drum roll
- RATTLESNAKE
- Definition: a type of venomous snake, but also a word that starts with a percussion instrument
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings and can be misleading
Connections #918 explained
Why these words connect (December 16, 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: DANCES
These are all types of dances, including the BOLERO, a famous orchestral piece by Maurice Ravel, and the FOXTROT, a ballroom dance style.
Green group: DESCENDANTS
These are all words related to descendants, including BROOD, a group of offspring, and POSTERITY, future generations.
Blue group: HITCHCOCK MOVIES
These are all films directed by Alfred Hitchcock, including LIFEBOAT, a 1944 film about survivors of a shipwreck, and SPELLBOUND, a 1945 psychological thriller.
Purple group: STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
These are all words that start with percussion instruments, including BELLHOP, which starts with the word BELL, a type of percussion instrument, and DRUMROLL, which starts with the word DRUM.
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.
“BELLHOP”
Seems like it belongs to: HITCHCOCK MOVIES
Actually belongs to: STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
BELLHOP seems like a Hitchcock movie, but it's actually a word that starts with a percussion instrument
“ROPE”
Seems like it belongs to: STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
Actually belongs to: HITCHCOCK MOVIES
ROPE seems like a word that starts with a percussion instrument, but it's actually a Hitchcock movie
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “BELLHOP” didn't go with HITCHCOCK MOVIES
Seems like: HITCHCOCK MOVIES → Actually: STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
BELLHOP seems like a Hitchcock movie, but it's actually a word that starts with a percussion instrument
Why “ROPE” didn't go with STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
Seems like: STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS → Actually: HITCHCOCK MOVIES
ROPE seems like a word that starts with a percussion instrument, but it's actually a Hitchcock movie