Get spoiler-free hints, solving strategy, trivia, and the full answer key for NYT Connections on August 8, 2025 (Puzzle #789). Categories include sports, gifting, classroom antics, and a ‘Ms.’ wordplay twist.
Intro – Welcome to the Puzzle Jungle
Friday’s puzzle came in with a little “I’m chill” energy but then dropped a couple of curveballs that made people stare at their screen like they were decoding alien script. Don’t worry — we’ll guide you from “Huh?” to “Heck yes” without ruining the surprise right away.
Also check:
NYT Connections August 8, 2025 (Puzzle #789)
Spoiler-Free Hints
Slightly — think “medium-spicy salsa.” The categories don’t hide as deep, but there are a few evil twins to trip you up.
Yes. There’s one category where all the words scream the same theme if you look at them in a sports context.
Yep — there’s an artsy bunch that looks like it belongs together, but actually splits across two different categories.
Big yes — one group is pure “add something to a word and you get magic.”
100%. You’ve done all of them if you’ve ever sat in a long, boring class
Step-by-Step Walkthrough (No Spoilers Until End)
- Scan for sports vibes – There’s a category where the words are all about leveling the score. Pull those out first.
- Find the “gifting” crew – Another group is about giving something officially — even if it’s not a physical gift.
- Think classroom boredom survival kit – These words are 100% your coping mechanisms when you’re about to nod off in a lecture.
- Hunt the “Ms.” twist – Imagine putting “Ms.” before a word and ending up with a title, a hero, a game, or a creative tool.
- Watch for overlap – Some words feel like they fit in two places, so lock down your strongest category before committing.
NYT Connections Fun Facts – August 8, 2025
- Connections launched in 2023 and became the NYT’s second-most-played game after Wordle within months.
- The “One Away” warning is unique to Connections — no other NYT puzzle gives you that kind of lifeline.
- The game was originally called Sets in early prototypes.
- The yellow category is statistically the most missed one, according to community posts.
SPOILERS – Scroll at Your Own Risk
| Color | Category | Answers |
| 🟩 | MAKE EQUAL | DRAW, EVEN, SQUARE, TIE |
| 🟨 | BESTOW | CONFER, GRANT, PRESENT, VEST |
| 🟦 | CLASSROOM ZZZs | DOODLE, DOZE, PASS NOTES, SPACE |
| 🟪 | “MS” + something | DEGREE, MARVEL, PAC-MAN, PAINT |
Final Vibe Check
Today’s puzzle is…
- Fun: ✅
- Fair: ✅
- Slightly evil in category overlap: ✅
- Worth a coffee break attempt: 100%
