What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
This is the archived NYT Connections puzzle for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, game #913—not today’s current puzzle. The 16-word board is below, followed by clues from least to most revealing. Stop before the spoiler warning if you want to solve it first.
Word bank for game #913
WHY, YES, DEAR, SWEET, YEAR, COPY, SUCKER, DUMMY, FAKE, GRACIOUS, YELLOW, CANDY, MERCY, LOLLY, DUPE, HEAVENS.
Progressive hints
- Yellow: An expression someone might use when surprised.
- Green: Something unreal or inauthentic.
- Blue: A sweet treat.
- Purple: Think of the letter that comes after X, and clues connected to that single character.
Spoilers below: the complete category names and answers follow.
Answers and why the groups fit
Yellow — “MY GOODNESS!”
DEAR, GRACIOUS, HEAVENS, MERCY. Each can be part of an exclamation of surprise: “Dear me,” “Good gracious,” “Good heavens,” or “Good mercy.”
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
Green — IMITATION
COPY, DUMMY, DUPE, FAKE. Each can describe something that imitates or stands in for the real thing.
Blue — CONFECTION
CANDY, LOLLY, SUCKER, SWEET. These are words for sweets or sweet treats. SUCKER is the potential trap: besides meaning a gullible person, it can mean a lollipop.
Rank #2
Purple — WHAT “Y” MIGHT MEAN
WHY, YEAR, YELLOW, YES. The connections use Y in different ways: “why” sounds like the letter name; Y can abbreviate year, stand for yellow in a color notation, or indicate yes in a yes/no shorthand.
How the puzzle plays
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four, with each group sharing a connection. Forbes’ description of the game says three incorrect guesses are allowed; a fourth ends the game. The overlapping meanings are the main source of misdirection here: SUCKER fits the sweet-treat group, while the last four words depend on different uses of Y.
Where to replay the archived puzzle
Forbes reported that access to the Connections archive, including earlier puzzles, was available with an NYT All Access or Games subscription. Subscription names and access terms can change, so check the current New York Times Games offering before subscribing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and verification
The date, game number, word bank, hints, and groups are independently reported by Forbes and TechRadar; Parade also corroborates the groupings. These are secondary answer guides, not an official NYT solution page.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
