Connections — October 25, 2026
Puzzle #1232 · Today’s answers and hints, with the full solution kept below the hints.
Today’s grid mixes light-fingered verbs, dinner shapes, famous fictional first names and things that go snap. Hints first, full groups below.
Hints for today’s Connections
Gentle nudge: Look for a set of sneaky taking-verbs, a set from the pasta aisle, and a set of surnames that all belong to men named Tom.
Stronger hint: The fourth group is about a sharp little action — some of its members crack, some click, and one starts a football play.
Reveal: The four categories are STEAL, PASTA SHAPES, FICTIONAL TOMS, and THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED.
Today’s Connections answers
Spoiler warning: The answer is in the box below. Stop here if you still want to solve it yourself.
Yellow — STEAL: BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE
Green — PASTA SHAPES: BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL
Blue — FICTIONAL TOMS: RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB
Purple — THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED: FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND
Difficulty note: The purple group is the stinger — THUMB looks like it belongs with snapping fingers, but it is really Tom Thumb.
Yesterday’s answer: Yesterday’s Connections (#1231, October 24, 2026): KINDS OF STRIPS — BACON, COMIC, FILM, MÖBIUS; THINGS ON STICKS — HOBBY HORSE, PINWHEEL, POPSICLE, SPARKLER; ONLINE AD FORMATS — BANNER, INTERSTITIAL, OVERLAY, POP-UP; ___ BAR — CANDY, SALAD, SPACE, SPORTS.
Frequently asked questions
What are today’s Connections answers for October 25, 2026?
Yellow STEAL: BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE. Green PASTA SHAPES: BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL. Blue FICTIONAL TOMS: RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB. Purple THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED: FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND.
What is the hardest group today?
The purple group, THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED, because its members snap in four different senses of the word.
What were yesterday’s Connections answers?
KINDS OF STRIPS; THINGS ON STICKS; ONLINE AD FORMATS; and ___ BAR.
This answer was checked against two independent sources before publication, following our two-source verification method.