NYT Connections Hint - May 10, 2025

Hey friends! 😊 Another day, another set of brain-bending words to connect! Today felt like a mix between a delicious donut shop and a salute to my favorite fitness buffs—what a combo, right? I stumbled a bit, especially with the finishing words for donuts, but once I realized the threads that linked these words together, it was like riding a bicycle downhill—smooth sailing!

Word Explanations

• FROST

  • Frosting adds that sweet, creamy layer to donuts (or cakes!). It’s almost like a sugary blanket. Did you know that frost can also talk about the icy stuff that covers everything in winter? Quite a contrast, huh?

• RIGHT

  • Right isn't just about correctness; it also means suitable or appropriate. I remember feeling right at home when I found the perfect book for my reading nook! 📖

• MUSCULAR

  • Muscled up and ready to go! Muscular refers to someone who’s built! 💪 I always think about bodybuilders flexing for the camera. But it can also mean strong in numerous ways—emotionally and mentally!

• HONOR

  • Honor is about paying respect. When someone does something commendable, we honor them. It feels good to give kudos to people who inspire us!

• HAIL

  • Like tossing your head back and declaring ‘Hail!’ In casual terms, it’s about acknowledging someone or something with excitement, as in ‘hail to the fans!’

• FIT

  • Fit can be used to physically describe someone who’s in a great shape or to imply something suitable for the task at hand. It just feels right, doesn’t it? 🏃‍♂️

• POLISH

  • Imagine polishing a car until it shines—so sleek! It also refers to buffing up your skills or your look. It’s about that extra effort to make things shine.

• POWDER

  • Powder can refer to a type of sugar that sprinkles delight onto donuts, like powdered sugar. It’s also about the texture of things, almost like fluffy clouds on a dessert plate! ☁️

• PROPER

  • Proper means appropriate or fitting in every way. When you pull together a solid outfit for an interview, you really want to dress in a proper way!

• ENTHUSIAST

  • Enthusiast is someone who's all in on a hobby or interest—like that friend who's super into knitting or stamp collecting. It warms my heart to see them so passionate! 🎈

• NUDE

  • Nude can reference being bare, but it’s also a color that’s super popular in fashion. Being nude these days can vary in definition; it's more about what feels natural!

• APPLAUD

  • Applauding is all about showing appreciation through clapping. It’s an uplifting sound in any venue, be it a concert or a classroom filled with eager learners. 👏

• SPRINKLE

  • Sprinkling adds a touch of flair, whether it's confetti at a party or chocolate sprinkles on donuts. It’s all about the finishing touch! 🎉

• PRAISE

  • To praise is to speak highly of someone or something. When my favorite artist drops a new album, you can bet I’ll be showering them with praise! 🎶

• APT

  • Apt is about being well-suited for a task or fit for a role. It just means you’re hitting the mark, and who doesn’t want that? 🎯

• GLAZE

  • Glaze gives that shiny coat to donuts, making them look as sweet as they taste. There’s something about a glazed donut that just calls to me! 🍩✨

Theme Hints

1. SALUTE

   • When you feel the urge to cheer for someone or something, you might want to use one of these words! 🎉

2. SUITABLE

   • Think about what makes something a good choice! 🤔 Something fitting, proper, apt, or just right!

3. VERBS FOR FINISHING DONUTS

   • What do you do to your donuts to get them ready for the final touch? 🍩✨

4. WHAT “BUFF” MIGHT MEAN

   • What words might you use to describe someone who's super into fitness, or who might go without their shirt? 🏋️‍♂️💪

Answers Explanation

Wow, what a fun word exploration today! 🌟 I can't believe I spent so much time trying to decide between 'frost' and 'glaze' for my donut analogy—unsurprisingly, my sweet tooth led the way! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's challenge; I hope it's as delightful as this one. Keep those brains buzzing, my fellow puzzle enthusiasts!