If you enjoy a good word puzzle, you've definitely experienced the mix of excitement and fear that comes with each new Nyt Connections challenge. It starts out easy at times, but then the game really attempts to deceive you. Each each pair of words becomes a bit more difficult, leaving you scratching your brain and wondering if you've actually considered every conceivable link. But don't worry, because I'm here to help you overcome today's challenges with some useful ideas and views on the June 12 game.
For those unfamiliar with this word-grouping task, Connections is a New York Times game. It instructs players to identify "common threads between words." Consider it a mental scavenger hunt. You see 16 words on a board. Your task is to select four words that share something remarkable. They could be different sorts of food, car parts, or even activities you conduct on a specific day. The trick is that some words may appear to fit into more than one category. There is just one right solution to each set. It's all about discovering the perfect link that connects just four words.
When you get a group of four words correct, they disappear off the board. This makes it little simpler to view the remaining connections. But take care. You can only make four mistakes before the game finishes. This means you have to think carefully before making a guess. If you are stuck, you can always shuffle the board. This rearranges the words and occasionally allows you to perceive things in a new light. The game also employs a color coding to indicate difficulty. Yellow is usually the easiest category to identify. Green is a little difficult. Blue can be fairly challenging. Purple is frequently the most difficult color to master. It's the one that truly gets you thinking outside the box.
Getting Ready For Today's Connections Puzzle: A Few Initial Thoughts To Guide Your GameplayHow to Approach the June 12 Game and What to Keep In Mind While Looking For Links
Today's puzzle features a fun set of words that may cause you to consider for a moment. Before we go into any specific clues, I always suggest reviewing all 16 words first. Do any stand out to you right away? Sometimes the most visible group is the yellow one. Look for terms that are obvious instances of a specific category. For example, if you saw the words "Apple," "Banana," "Grape," and "Orange," you would probably assume "Fruits" right away. Today may not be that simple, but starting with what seems clearest is a solid technique.
Another useful technique is to look for words that may fit together in a variety of ways. Then, see if one of those methods uses phrases that could potentially belong in other prospective categories. This is where the game attempts to fool you. They frequently use terms that could be a "red herring" to draw your attention away from the genuine category. Do not be frightened to rearrange words mentally. Do not submit unless you are confident in your decision.
Remember, the categories can be anything. Sometimes they are fairly specific, such as "things you find in a kitchen." Other times, they may be more abstract, such as "Words that mean to annoy someone." Maintain an open mind. Pay attention to the various forms of words. Sometimes the game uses verbs that sound like nouns, and vice versa. It's all part of the excitement and challenge that keeps us coming back every day.
Important Hints For Today's New York Times Connections Puzzle, June 12, 2025

Subtle clues to help you find the hidden categories without disclosing too much too soon.
Okay, it's time for some hints! But first, one important warning:
SPOILER WARNING: If you want to do today's NYT Connections puzzle on your own, stop reading now! The information below will provide elements of the answer.
Still here? Great! Let us discuss some general ideas for today's puzzle without revealing everything at once. June 12's words include bowling, wrestling, missing, dishing, spooning, siring, buzzing, sewing, lording, spilling, hugging, doctoring, snuggling, acupuncture, whispering, and cuddling.
Here are some things to consider:
Revealing the full answers to the NYT connections puzzle for June 12, 2025.

All the categories and words you'll need to conquer today's mind-bending challenge
If you're ready for the whole answers, here they are! Don't feel bad if you required aid. These puzzles can be really difficult, and sometimes seeing the solution teaches you how to recognize these kind of connections in the future.
The first group, typically the yellow category, was:
Getting cozy.
This group's four words are: cuddling, hugging, snuggling, and spooning.
This one felt like a cozy blanket on a cold day. It's all about being close and comfortable with someone. I believe most individuals can relate to wanting to be close. This group usually falls into place for me very easily, especially when I think about a quiet night in.
Next up is the green category:
Gossiping
This group's four words are: buzzing, dishing, spilling, and whispering.
This category exudes a lively, slightly mischievous vibe. These are all words you might use when gossiping about someone or telling a secret. "Spilling the tea" and "dishing out gossip" are popular phrases. I appreciate how these verbs convey the impression of shared, whispered secrets.
Then there's the blue category, which generally requires more thought:
Engaging in an Activity with Pins or Needles.
This group's four terms are: acupuncture, bowling, sewing, and wrestling.
This one really had me thinking about sharp items and precise movements. At first glance, "bowling" and "wrestling" may appear out of place among "acupuncture" and "sewing." But then you understand bowling uses pins, and wrestling puts someone in a "pin" predicament. It's a brilliant connection that covers multiple types of activities, demonstrating how the game likes to change things up.
Finally, the purple category is the trickiest:
Starting with titles.
This group's four nouns are doctoring, lording, missing, and siring.
Ah, the purple group, always the one that makes you feel dumb when you finally understand it. This category is entirely about wordplay. Each of these words begins with the same title: "Doctor," "Lord," "Miss," and "Sir." For example, "Doctoring" (as in modifying something incorrectly) begins with "Doctor." "Lording" (as in acting superior) begins with "Lord." "Missing" (as in "not present") begins with "Miss." And "siring" (as in fathering) begins with "Sir." This is the type of word trick Connections enjoys using, and it frequently entails thinking about words in ways other than their direct meaning.
Do not be discouraged if you did not get it this time. Tomorrow, there will be new Connections puzzles to tax your brain. I'll be returning to provide you with more helpful hints. Keep playing and thinking, and you'll soon be a puzzle expert yourself!