The New York Times Games' word-sorting game calledConnectionshas one of the most difficult challenges fans have ever seen with today’s puzzle. The words in this one are all insanely hard, and they don’t seem to want to fall into place no matter how long you look at them.

If you already knowhow to playConnectionsand are struggling, you are not alone at all. This one was really difficult, so this article is here to help you with hints and spoilers.

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Words in the NYT Connections Puzzle #773 for June 25, 2025

TheConnectionspuzzle for today contains the words:Tomahawk, Phantom, Geoduck, Bugbear, Escrow, Seahorse, Flatiron, Mortgage, Porterhouse, Bogeyman, Appraisal, Wombat, Hobgoblin, Titmouse, Chateaubriand,andInsurance.

What Is the Definition of Geoduck?

A geoduck, which is pronounced like “gooey duck,” is a type of edible clam found in mud in salt water.

What Is the Definition of Escrow?

According to Dictionary.com, escrow is a “contract, deed, bond, or other written agreement deposited with a third person, by whom it is to be delivered to the grantee or promisee on the fulfillment of some condition.”

What Is the Definition of Hobgoblin?

A hobgoblin can be either something that is mischievous, or it can be something that causes fear that isn’t real, like a bogeyman.

What Is the Definition of Titmouse?

A titmouse is a type of bird in the family Paridae."

What Is the Definition of Chateaubriand?

François René Vicomte de Chateaubriand was a French author from the 1800s. There is also a cut of steak called the chateaubriand; it’s a thick-cut tenderloin.

Hints for the NYT Connections Puzzle

The sections below each contain a different type of clue or spoiler for thisfree-to-play game. Open them up with the Read More link to see what’s hidden inside each one.

Here are some hints:

  1. Escrow and Geoduck donotgo in the same group together.

  2. None of the categories are about words that end in first names.

Click to Reveal a Connections Clue

  1. Tomahawk and Flatiron go in the same group.

Yellow NYT Connections Category Hints

Here are some hints for the yellow/straightforward answer:The monster under your bed, in your closet, or in the woods, perhaps.

Yellow Connections Category Answer and All Four Words

The answer to the yellow/straightforwardConnectionsisDread-Inducing Figures.

The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Bogeyman, Bugbear, Hobgoblin, Phantom.

Green NYT Connections Category Hints

Here are some hints for the green/medium difficulty answer in thisinnovative puzzle game:Cow meat.

Green Connections Category Answer and All Four Words

The answer to the green/medium difficultyConnectionsisKinds of Steaks.

The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Chateaubriand, Flatiron, Porterhouse, Tomahawk.

Blue NYT Connections Category Hints

Here are some hints for the blue/difficult answer:Don’t forget moving, down payments, and house hunting!

Blue Connections Category Answer and All Four Words

The answer to the blue/difficultConnectionsisRelated to Buying a Home.

The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Appraisal, Escrow, Insurance, Mortgage.

Purple NYT Connections Category Hints

Here are some hints for the purple/tricky answer in thisproblem-solving puzzle game:Animals within animals.

Purple Connections Category Answer and All Four Words

The answer to the purple/tricky difficulty inConnectionsisAnimals Ending With Animals.

The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Geoduck, Seahorse, Titmouse, Wombat.

Answers for Today’s NYT Connections #773 for June 15, 2025

Searching for more than just a hint? You can find the whole answer in the section below; peek inside to see what the answers to each grouping are in thisminimalist puzzle game.

Want to play? Check out theNew York Times Games Connectionswebsite available on almost any device with a browser.

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