October 14, 2025

NYT Connections Hint - October 14, 2025

Hey everyone! 🌟 It's that time again—let's dive into today’s Connections game! I have to admit, some of these words had me second-guessing myself. I mean, when I first spotted 'STEM,' I thought it was just a plant thing. But there’s so much more to these words than meets the eye! Let’s unravel this together.

Word Explanations

  • STEM

    • 'STEM' refers to the part of a plant that holds up flowers or leaves. But it also has many dimensions—science, education (hello STEM fields!), and even as a verb when you stop something from growing. I love how versatile this little word is!

  • EASEL

    • 'EASEL' is the structure that artists use to hold their canvases. It brings back memories of my art class where I embarrassingly tried to become the next Picasso—let's just say, the world is better off with my stick figures.

  • ABSORB

    • 'ABSORB' is all about taking in or soaking something up. I mean, just think about a sponge or even that moment when you’re so into a book you don’t realize it's 3 AM! It captivates you completely.

  • DIGEST

    • 'DIGEST' does refer to food in the traditional sense, but it also means to process information. It makes me think of studying for exams—like when you have to literally digest all that knowledge!

  • ANTHER

    • 'ANTHER' might sound like a word out of science class (it is!), as it refers to the part of a flower that produces pollen. We need to give it some credit for all those spring blooms!

  • REVIEW

    • 'REVIEW' is a term we’re all familiar with, especially when preparing for a big test or going over feedback. It’s that moment of reflection that can really clarify everything—like when you read something and it suddenly makes sense!

  • CHECK

    • 'CHECK' is such a direct word. It’s like a checklist in life. I appreciate how it makes that effort of assessment sound so straightforward—'just check it!'

  • HARK

    • 'HARK' is an old-fashioned term, which means to listen attentively! It sounds dramatic, maybe because every time I hear it, I imagine someone standing on a mountaintop calling out to the world.

  • BRIEF

    • 'BRIEF' indicates something short or concise. Love that it gets right to the point! It also makes me think of those quick summaries you hope for in meetings.

  • HOLD

    • 'HOLD' might feel like a simple word, but it has layers! Whether you’re holding a door open or holding onto a memory, it carries so much weight.

  • STAUNCH

    • 'STAUNCH' means to stop the flow of something. I often think of it in a medical sense, like staunching a wound; it’s a serious word that reminds us of urgency!

  • LAMA

    • 'LAMA' is not just a fluffy animal but evokes such relaxation vibes for me! Picture them lounging around in the mountains—pure zen, right?

  • ENGAGE

    • 'ENGAGE' means to participate or become involved. It’s one of those words I wish for in every conversation—getting both sides to engage makes discussions much more interesting!

  • CURB

    • 'CURB' carries a sense of restriction—whether you’re trying to curb a habit or curb speeding in your neighborhood. It’s like trying to keep life’s chaos in check!

  • OUTLINE

    • 'OUTLINE' refers to the main points or structure of a subject. It makes me think of organizing ideas before writing an essay. It’s the backbone of clarity!

  • OCCUPY

    • 'OCCUPY' suggests taking up space—physically or mentally. How often do we feel like we occupy a place in conversations? It’s about belonging and presence.

Theme Hints

  1. CAPTIVATE

    • You’re looking for words that pull you in—think about what captures your attention or interest!

  2. SUMMARY

    • Think about what you'll do when you need to boil things down to their essence.

  3. HALT

    • Think of words that might signal you to pause or keep something in check.

  4. ANIMALS MINUS STARTING LETTER

    • These critters are lurking, but you need to drop their leading letters!

Answers Explanation

Click to reveal answers!

  1. CAPTIVATE

    :ABSORB,ENGAGE,HOLD,OCCUPY

    • These words all have a captivating nature. They can draw in attention or interest in various contexts. Think about how 'engage' and 'absorb' describe not only taking in information but also being emotionally drawn into something fantastic!

  2. SUMMARY

    :BRIEF,DIGEST,OUTLINE,REVIEW

    • Each of these words relates to summarizing information. Whether you're giving a 'brief' overview or using an 'outline' to condense your notes, they help distill ideas into digestible bits.

  3. HALT

    :CHECK,CURB,STAUNCH,STEM

    • Words that indicate a halt or stop. They all convey a sense of limitation or checking progress—just like a stop sign!

  4. ANIMALS MINUS STARTING LETTER

    :ANTHER,EASEL,HARK,LAMA

    • These words represent animals, but with a twist—remove the first letter! They remind me of playful and whimsical thoughts about our animal friends.

What a fun wordy adventure today! 💡 I love how each category seemed to blend different nuances of language. The 'CAPTIVATE' group especially reminded me that words can draw you in—imagine the power of a well-placed 'engage' in a conversation! Let’s gear up for tomorrow’s challenge; I can’t wait to see what delightful twists await. Until then!