The NYT Connections hints October 22 puzzle has arrived, and players across the United States are calling it one of the most interesting challenges of the week. The game, a daily word puzzle from The New York Times, continues to capture attention with its clever categories and satisfying “aha!” moments.
Today’s puzzle (#864) tested players’ logic, vocabulary, and creativity. It featured a mix of everyday words, tricky patterns, and a few surprising connections that left even long-time solvers double-checking their guesses. Let’s break it all down — the hints, categories, answers, and strategies — so you can understand how to solve it like a pro.
What Is NYT Connections?
For anyone new to the game, NYT Connections gives players 16 words that must be grouped into four sets of four. Each set shares a hidden connection or theme.
The game offers four difficulty levels:
- 🟩 Green – Easy
- 🟨 Yellow – Moderate
- 🟦 Blue – Hard
- 🟪 Purple – Tricky
Players can make up to four mistakes before the game ends. The challenge? Some words fit more than one category — which makes guessing harder than it looks.
NYT Connections Hints for October 22
Today’s official hints were released early in the morning and immediately got people talking online. Each hint points to one of the four categories:
- Hint 1: “Bills you pay monthly.”
- Hint 2: “Are you up for it?”
- Hint 3: “They go marching, one by one.”
- Hint 4: “Duplicate.”
These clues seem simple, but the puzzle quickly becomes more layered when you start grouping words.
Full NYT Connections Answers for October 22
Here’s how the puzzle broke down today. Each set represents one color group, from easiest to hardest.
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| 🟩 Green | Utilities | ELECTRIC, GAS, TELEPHONE, WATER |
| 🟨 Yellow | Adapt to Fit One’s Needs | FASHION, MOLD, SHAPE, TAILOR |
| 🟦 Blue | Kinds of Ants | ARMY, CARPENTER, FIRE, PHARAOH |
| 🟪 Purple | Copy ___ | CAT, PASTA, RIGHT, WRITER |
Category Analysis — Why Each Set Works
🟩 Utilities
This was the easiest category of the day. The clue “Bills you pay monthly” immediately points to common household utilities. ELECTRIC, GAS, WATER, and TELEPHONE are services everyone pays for regularly.
Because this one is so obvious, many players used it as their warm-up win before moving on to tougher sections.
🟨 Adapt to Fit One’s Needs
This yellow group caused some confusion at first. The clue “Are you up for it?” might make you think about readiness or motivation, but it’s really about adjustment.
Each word here — FASHION, MOLD, SHAPE, and TAILOR — describes how something can be changed or formed to fit a need.
For example:
- You can fashion an idea into something new.
- You mold or shape something into form.
- You tailor something to suit a purpose.
This group rewarded creative, flexible thinking rather than pure vocabulary knowledge.
🟦 Kinds of Ants
One of the cleverest groups of the day! The clue “They go marching, one by one” gave it away for some — but not everyone.
The words ARMY, CARPENTER, FIRE, and PHARAOH all describe types of ants, but they’re also words that have totally different meanings outside of biology. That’s what made it tricky.
For example:
- “Army” can mean soldiers, but also a group of ants.
- “Pharaoh” sounds royal, but it’s also a lesser-known species of ant.
This group was pure NYT wordplay at its best — part vocabulary test, part brain teaser.
🟪 Copy ___
This purple set tripped up many solvers. The hint “Duplicate” encouraged players to think of synonyms for “copy,” but the trick was to complete the phrase “Copy ___.”
The four correct words — CAT, PASTA, RIGHT, and WRITER — form real expressions:
- Copycat – someone who imitates others.
- Copypasta – text copied and pasted online (often in memes).
- Copyright – legal protection for creative work.
- Copywriter – someone who writes promotional material.
This mix of modern slang (“copypasta”) and traditional terms (“copyright”) made it both clever and difficult.
Why the October 22 Puzzle Was So Popular
Players across social media rated today’s NYT Connections puzzle as “medium-hard.” It struck the perfect balance between straightforward and mind-bending.
Here’s what made it stand out:
- Wide range of topics: Everyday utilities, creative verbs, insects, and digital culture — all in one grid.
- Cultural layers: Including internet terms like “copypasta” connected to younger audiences.
- Smart misdirection: Words like “CAT” and “TAILOR” could fit multiple categories, making players second-guess their choices.
- Satisfying payoffs: Each group made complete sense once solved, rewarding players for logical deduction and creative thinking.
Solving Strategies for NYT Connections
If you found today’s puzzle tough, you’re not alone. Here are a few strategies the best players use:
- Start with the obvious group.
The “Utilities” set today was the easiest — finding one clear group builds confidence and reduces confusion. - Group by word type.
Notice which words are verbs, nouns, or adjectives. Often, categories stick to a single type. - Look for phrases.
When a word feels random, try pairing it mentally (e.g., “copycat,” “copywriter”) to see if a phrase emerges. - Avoid guessing too early.
Making random guesses can cost you valuable chances. Instead, test words by seeing if they could fit more than one theme. - Think beyond the literal.
Some categories rely on metaphors, idioms, or puns. For example, “Kinds of Ants” wasn’t about insects alone — it was about how words sound and connect.
How NYT Connections Became a Morning Ritual
NYT Connections has quickly joined Wordle and Spelling Bee as a daily mental warm-up for millions of Americans. The game only takes a few minutes to play, but its mix of difficulty and fun keeps players hooked.
It’s also a deeply social experience. Players share results on social media using the colored square emojis (🟩🟨🟦🟪), discuss strategies, and compare which group stumped them most.
The October 22 puzzle, in particular, became a hot topic because of the tricky purple group “Copy ___.” It’s the kind of puzzle that rewards not just smarts, but familiarity with pop culture and internet slang — making it enjoyable for both traditional puzzle fans and younger players.
Why NYT Keeps Winning With Puzzles
The New York Times has successfully modernized classic puzzles by making them accessible, interactive, and shareable. Connections stands out because it goes beyond spelling or definitions — it challenges players to think about language the way we use it in real life.
Games like Connections, Wordle, and Mini Crossword have turned everyday moments — like morning coffee or a commute — into opportunities to exercise the brain. The October 22 puzzle is another reminder of how something so simple can bring together millions of people in a shared challenge.
Final Thoughts
The NYT Connections hints October 22 puzzle proved once again why this game is so beloved. With its mix of logic, humor, and creativity, it gave players just the right amount of challenge — and a few satisfying surprises along the way.
If you solved it without mistakes, congratulations! If not, don’t worry — that’s part of the fun. Each puzzle teaches you to think a little differently, and tomorrow brings a brand-new chance to start fresh.
Which category tripped you up today? Share your thoughts and see how other players approached the challenge!