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NYT Connections puzzle #861 was published on Sunday, October 19, 2025. If you want a nudge without seeing the solution, start with the clues below and stop before the spoiler warning. The puzzle asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four.
Words in Connections #861
The board contained these 16 words:
CRUNCHY, FALL, LEAVES, COVER, BUG, MARSH, WIG, SPILL, SKORT, JACKET, TUMBLE, FLIP, SPINE, DOVER, FREAK, WIPEOUT.
Spoiler-free hints
Try to find one group at a time. These clues move from broad to more specific, without giving away the category labels:
- Fall over.
- Think about the parts of a paperback.
- These are types of panic—or phrases that mean losing your composure.
- Think of chocolate bars, with an added letter.
Each set contains four words. Some words may seem to fit more than one possible category, so look for the connection that accounts for exactly four.
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BETTER TOGETHER Couples Card Game - Date Night Games for Couples
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Connections #861 group labels
If the clues were enough, you can stop here. The four themes are:
- TOPPLE
- PARTS OF A BOOK
- LOSE IT, WITH “OUT”
- CHOCOLATE BARS PLUS A LETTER
Spoiler warning: full answers below
The word groups and categories for October 19, 2025, are listed below.
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Yellow — TOPPLE
FALL, SPILL, TUMBLE, WIPEOUT
Green — PARTS OF A BOOK
COVER, JACKET, LEAVES, SPINE
Blue — LOSE IT, WITH “OUT”
BUG, FLIP, FREAK, WIG
Add “out” to each word to make a phrase for losing one’s temper or composure: bug out, flip out, freak out, and wig out.
Purple — CHOCOLATE BARS PLUS A LETTER
CRUNCHY, DOVER, MARSH, SKORT
Each word adds a letter to a candy-bar name: Crunch, Dove, Mars, and Skor.
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Rank #3
Connection Deck Card Game for Couples - Connecting and Revealing Questions to Ignite A Deeper Relationship - Perfect for Anniversary, Date Night & More (100 Cards)
- The Connection Deck Card Game includes carefully crafted questions designed to spark meaningful conversations and deeper connections between couples. Explore new topics, share personal insights, and strengthen your bond in a fun and engaging way.
- Designed to inspire meaningful conversations, our couples card game features carefully crafted questions that encourage deeper understanding and connection. Enjoy engaging discussions that bring you and your partner closer in a fun and memorable way.
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How Connections works
The New York Times describes Connections as a daily game in which players sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are color-coded by difficulty, from yellow as the easiest to purple as the trickiest, and words can appear to fit more than one category. The puzzle releases at midnight in the player’s timezone. It is available free on supported NYT Games platforms; signing in can keep progress in sync across platforms. See the NYT Help Center’s Connections page for current details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you replay puzzle #861?
According to the NYT Help Center, the Connections archive goes back to June 12, 2023, and archive access is available to Games and All Access subscribers. Playing an archived puzzle affects completion and win statistics but not streaks; once an archived puzzle is completed, it cannot be replayed. Access terms can change, so check the Help Center for the current rules.
Quick Recap
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