You know that feeling when you open the NYT Connections grid and see words that rhyme? It’s usually a trap. On December 4, Wyna Liu—the mastermind behind these daily headaches—really leaned into that psychological warfare. If you saw MUZZLE, NUZZLE, and GUZZLE and immediately tried to pair them, don't feel bad. You’re exactly who the puzzle was designed to mess with.
The December 4 puzzle (Game #907) was one of those "layered" challenges. It didn't just test your vocabulary; it tested your ability to ignore the flashing neon signs of a red herring. Honestly, seeing NUZZLE and MUZZLE right next to each other is enough to make any sane person think there’s a "words ending in -uzzle" category. But that's where the New York Times gets you.
The December 4 Breakdown: What You Actually Missed
The beauty—or the cruelty, depending on your coffee level—of the NYT Connections Dec 4 board was how it hid common verbs inside very different contexts. You’ve got words that feel like they belong at a bar, words that belong in a nursery, and words that belong in a biology textbook.
Here is how the groups actually shook out once the dust settled.
The Yellow Group: Cuddle
This was the "easiest" group, though SPOON is always a bit of a trickster because it’s usually a utensil.
- DRAW CLOSE
- HOLD TIGHT
- NUZZLE
- SPOON
The Green Group: Imbibe
If you’ve ever been to a dive bar, you probably knew these. They all basically mean "drink a lot, very fast."
- GUZZLE
- KNOCK BACK
- POUND DOWN
- SWILL
The Blue Group: Things You Assemble
This was actually pretty clever. It combined physical objects with the very game you were currently playing.
- IKEA FURNITURE (The ultimate test of any relationship)
- LEGO SET
- MODEL
- PUZZLE
The Purple Group: Snouts
This was the "how do you even know that word" category. PROBOSCIS and ROSTRUM aren't exactly part of most people's daily group chats.
👉 See also: The Trebin Map Mass Effect Veterans Still Get Lost On
- BEAK
- MUZZLE
- PROBOSCIS
- ROSTRUM
Why This Puzzle Felt So Hard
The real problem with the NYT Connections Dec 4 grid was the overlap. Look at PUZZLE and MUZZLE. They look the same. They sound the same. But one is a snout and the other is something you build.
Then you have SPOON. If you’re a fan of the game, you know Wyna Liu loves a "utensil" red herring. There wasn't a fork or a knife in sight, but your brain still searches for them. It’s a phantom connection.
Also, can we talk about ROSTRUM? Most people know it as a platform or a podium for a speaker. But in biology, specifically regarding insects or crustaceans, it’s a snout-like projection. That is deep-cut trivia that most of us haven't thought about since 10th-grade science class. It's these double meanings that make Connections the "mortal enemy" of many casual players.
How to Beat the Red Herrings Next Time
If the December 4 puzzle taught us anything, it’s that rhyming is a lie. When you see GUZZLE, NUZZLE, MUZZLE, and PUZZLE, you have to stop and breathe.
Basically, if the connection seems too obvious—like "words that end in the same four letters"—it’s probably a trap. The NYT editors almost never use simple spelling or rhyming as a category unless it’s the Purple (hardest) group, and even then, it usually has a weird twist.
Another thing? Look for the "leftovers." Many players found the Green and Yellow groups first because they’re more conversational. Once those are gone, you’re left with ROSTRUM and PROBOSCIS. Even if you don't know what they mean, you can see they don't fit into "Things You Assemble." Sometimes solving Connections is just a process of elimination and a bit of luck.
If you’re still struggling with the daily puzzles, try a few things. First, use the "Shuffle" button. It sounds simple, but your brain gets locked into the positions of the words on the screen. Shuffling breaks those mental associations. Second, don't submit your first guess immediately. Find at least two possible groups before you hit that button.
The December 4 puzzle was a masterclass in distraction. Whether you sailed through it or lost all four lives on the first three minutes, it’s a reminder of why we keep coming back to these 16 little squares.
To improve your game for the next round, focus on the "part of speech." If you have three verbs and one noun, something is wrong. In the NYT Connections Dec 4 puzzle, noticing that SWILL and GUZZLE were both aggressive drinking verbs would have saved you from trying to pair them with MUZZLE.
Check back tomorrow for more hints and a breakdown of how the editors are trying to trick you next.