NYT Connections Hint - December 16, 2025

Alright, puzzle solvers! Here we are again. The game's afoot! 🕵️ Can you believe it's December 16th already? Time flies! I'm ready to dive headfirst into today's word challenge. Okay, first scan of the grid... and wow, some of these words definitely caught my eye immediately. We're talking Hitchcock movies, dances, some very intriguing wordplay, and family connections. Oh boy, this is going to be fun - this selection looks right up my alley. So, pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and let's get to work on cracking this puzzle wide open! There are interesting connections to be found, I can feel it.

Word Explanations

• POSTERITY

  • Posterity. You hear that word a lot around New Year's and family reunions, doesn't it? It brings to mind the future, generations down the line. It always feels a little formal and a little grand, like you're making a promise to the future. I always link it to legacy and those grand proclamations you make in your mind when you're young. Like that time I told my future self I’d learn to play guitar. Apparently, I'm still working on that one! But maybe for future me. Posterity... it's the future's family, waiting to unfold.

• BELLHOP

  • Bellhop! Do you remember staying at a hotel when you were a kid, and the bellhop walking around in that fancy little cap and uniform, wheeling the luggage? Always seemed like the most sophisticated and fun job! But it's also just the first person that comes to mind when you're talking about hotel staff, especially in older movies or those grand old hotels. The word itself conjures up images of a bygone era, a world of service and etiquette. I have to admit, though, seeing

• LIFEBOAT

  • Lifeboat, another of those movie titles, but also… what's that famous idea, the 'lifeboat situation' or 'lifeboat ethics'? You hear it in debates all the time! The lifeboat on a sinking ship – a symbol of survival, and something that gets used as a metaphor for much more complex societal problems. It reminds me of the classic thought experiment in a philosophy class. It's a word that evokes some pretty intense imagery of being literally and figuratively thrown into challenging situations! Life's a bit of a lifeboat situation sometimes, I suppose.

• OFFSPRING

  • Offspring, our little future hopes and dreams! This one's pretty much in the same family as 'posterity', but definitely feels a bit more casual. You say 'offspring' and you kind of think of animals or plants bringing new little ones into the world. I don't usually say it about people, though there are definitely those occasions when a parent will refer to their kids as 'my offspring'. It's a word we've all heard. Offspring... always the promise and potential of things to come. It's a fundamental part of life! Makes me think about my own little 'offspring'…

• SPELLBOUND

  • Spellbound! A feeling we all know well, especially after a really good book or movie. And of course, it's also one of those iconic Hitchcock films I mentioned – oh, the suspense, that famous ending. It's a word that really captures the very specific sensation of being completely caught up in something, unable to look away. Like getting sucked into your favorite TV show or a friend's captivating story, before you know it you're 'spellbound.' Ah, the magic of focus! You definitely don't want to get too spellbound by the puzzle itself and forget to have fun.

• FOXTROT

  • Foxtrot! That classic dance, always conjuring up images of couples in tuxedos and dresses, moving gracefully around a dance floor. Ah, the romantic foxtrot! I tried it once, many years ago at a friend's wedding. It didn’t exactly go... smoothly. Let’s just say I had two left feet! But I admire the dancers who can glide across the floor. There is a beauty to it, the rhythm, the elegance... or so they tell me.

• RATTLESNAKE

  • Rattlesnake. Ugh! Just the name of that slithery, dangerous creature sends a little shudder through me. Definitely one to avoid if you're out and about. I remember a camping trip with some friends when we almost stepped on one! Not a fun experience. Rattlesnake... the sound they're named for is classic! The warning is in the name! Makes them one animal with a very effective communication strategy.

• MAMBO

  • Mambo! That energetic, latin dance! It has such a vibrant, exciting feel to it. Like Foxtrot but with a completely different vibe. I’ve always thought of Mambo music as being perfect for a summer party or a good, energetic dance session. Makes you want to move your hips! So much fun. I always loved listening to Mambo music while reading a good book. It certainly adds a nice soundtrack to everyday life. I guess you can dance to 'Mambo No. 5' just to see if you remember some of the words. Makes me smile! Mambo!

• CHIMERA

  • Chimera. A wonderfully evocative word. It’s used to describe a creature from mythology composed of different animals. So much more interesting than just saying, “a monster.” A chimera is an impossibility! And also, I learned the word can also describe something that's a combination of two different things that don't fit together, like a musical style. That's the root of a lot of creativity, don’t you think? A creative chimera. I like the flexibility of the word - it’s an ancient concept with modern applications.

• ROPE

  • Rope. A simple word, but it has a world of associations. You think of tools, of crafting, of tying things together... or sometimes, even the danger of hangman, the game. It's amazing how a simple rope, which is just a length of cord, can take on so many meanings! One minute you're using it to pull, the next you're referring to the classic Hitchcock film ‘Rope’. It goes to show just how much language can surprise you, and the things that tie us together and those things that we hold on to. We certainly live in a world with lots of ropes.

• BOLERO

  • Bolero! This elegant dance with the recurring melody… It's instantly recognizable. And also incredibly romantic! I remember my grandparents used to dance to one at family gatherings. Such vivid memories of that slow, mesmerizing rhythm. Bolero… it’s a word that just brings back a warm feeling, but also makes me think of intricate musical compositions and the flowing dance steps to go with them. A beautiful, timeless piece of artistry.

• DRUMROLL

  • Drumroll. The ultimate signal! You hear that sound building up, and you just know something important is about to happen. It’s the sound of anticipation, of waiting for that big 'boom!' or a crucial announcement. I find myself humming a drumroll a lot when I'm excited about something. It builds the tension perfectly! It's the perfect sound effect for any dramatic moment, which is probably why it's so commonly used. This one always gets me pumped up. It's a sound with built-in drama.

• BROOD

  • Brood. This word can mean a few things, right? It can refer to a family of baby chickens, or other young animals. And then it can also be used as a verb, to think deeply or worry about something. Like when you

• QUICKSTEP

  • Quickstep! A dance I think looks and sounds like a lot of fun! There's something so speedy about it. Quickstep and the other dances - that's the pattern... just a feeling, like a lot of other dance words I'm seeing here. I don't know a lot about ballroom dancing, but the words just stick with me. Quickstep has all the energy of the other dances, but with a name that just screams 'let's get this party started!' It seems like a dance where you have to be on your toes at all times, totally focused on the flow of the music and your partner. It also reminds me of the quickstep song from The Amazing Race.

• FAMILY

  • . Famly, that one word is a powerhouse. It encapsulates love, history, and those annoying relatives who just have to butt into everything! The core of our lives. Your family is who you are... and also your first 'team' in competition, and often your loudest cheering section, for better or for worse. You see or hear from them all the time. And the word itself, a seemingly simple compound, is also full of warmth, support and personal connection. Family is the one that never leaves you!

• SUSPICION

  • Suspicion. That feeling you get when something just doesn't add up, when it just doesn’t feel quite right... It's a classic Hitchcock feeling! A suspicion, a feeling of unease, knowing something is off. The word feels a little formal, but the feeling is incredibly relatable. Feeling suspicious is like being on guard. You definitely want to pay attention to that feeling. And of course, Hitchcock ran with that feeling to create masterpieces! That is the definition of a feeling that many can relate to. Suspicion, the first step towards solving a mystery.

Theme Hints

1. DANCES

   • Feel the rhythm and the urge to move? These four are all about moving to the beat. Think fancy footwork, elegant prom nights, or maybe just some serious grooving!

2. DESCENDANTS

   • Think family connections...are there words here that basically have the same meaning? Or maybe just slightly differ? Look closely, and you'll see the generations!

3. HITCHCOCK MOVIES

   • Master of suspense...are you thinking of classic Alfred Hitchcock titles? If you stare at these words long enough, do you get visions of old movies? Some of these are just plain unforgettable!

4. STARTING WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS

   • Think 'Boom' and 'Beat'...are there words that begin with the sounds of drums, cymbals, or other rhythmic instruments? They might not start with the full instrument names...look closely at how they begin!

Answers Explanation

Another Connections down! I always get a little kick out of solving puzzles like these – it's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, except the pieces are just words swirling around in my brain. Honestly, the best part is those "aha!" moments – the way everything just falls into place. The best category for me today was definitely the dance moves, though I also got a kick out of figuring out those Hitchcock movies – classic cinema! Of course, there's always that one word that completely throws you for a loop. Personally, I was a bit of a dumdum when it came to the Hitchcock movies at first. Who knew these classic titles could be so tricky? Anyway, that's another win for today. Bring it on, tomorrow! 🎉