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New York Times Connections puzzle #696 was released on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The puzzle combined familiar definitions with a sound-alike wordplay category. Below, you’ll find spoiler-conscious hints first, followed by stronger clues and the complete answer grid.
Spoiler warning: Stop before the “Full answers” section if you still want to solve puzzle #696 yourself.
Hints for Connections #696
Here are the four category hints, arranged from the most approachable to the most deceptive:
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Yellow: Ways to say that a broken bone has improved or become whole again.
- Green: Words that can mean “excluding” or “with the exception of.”
- Blue: The four suits in the minor arcana of tarot.
- Purple: Words that sound like four gemstones when spoken aloud.
A broader nudge: think healing, exclusion, tarot, and precious stones—but listen carefully to the last group.
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One-answer-per-group hint
If you need a more direct push without seeing the complete grid, try one word from each category:
- Yellow: HEAL
- Green: EXCEPT
- Blue: WANDS
- Purple: OPEL
The purple answer is deliberately spelled differently from the gemstone it resembles. Say the words aloud rather than relying only on their written forms.
Full answers for Connections #696
Spoilers ahead: These are the complete categories and all 16 words from the May 7, 2025 puzzle.
Yellow: Get better, as a broken bone
HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER
These words describe restoration or recovery. KNIT is the less obvious entry: figuratively, a broken bone can “knit” as the pieces join and heal. The other three words more directly describe getting better or becoming whole again.
Green: Not including
BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE
Each word can introduce an exception or indicate that something is left out. In this usage, BESIDES can mean “apart from,” while BUT, EXCEPT, and SAVE can all function in constructions meaning “excluding.”
Blue: Tarot minor-arcana suits
CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS
These are the four traditional suits of the minor arcana in tarot. PENTACLES and WANDS are the strongest anchors because they are less likely than CUPS and SWORDS to form an everyday synonym group.
Purple: Homophones of gemstones
CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS
Read aloud, these approximate the names of four gemstones or gem materials:
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| Puzzle word | Sounds like |
|---|---|
| CHORAL | CORAL |
| OPEL | OPAL |
| PURL | PEARL |
| QUARTS | QUARTZ |
This was the puzzle’s wordplay category. The spellings are altered, but saying each entry aloud reveals the intended gemstone connection. OPEL and QUARTS are especially useful signals once you suspect the theme.
Why this puzzle was tricky
The blue tarot group is a useful early anchor: once PENTACLES and WANDS are recognized, CUPS and SWORDS complete the set. However, CUPS and SWORDS are ordinary words with many possible associations, so they can distract you before the category is clear.
The yellow group is narrower than a general “words meaning improve” category. It specifically points toward recovery from a broken bone, which makes KNIT fit alongside HEAL, MEND, and RECOVER.
The final group requires a change in approach. CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, and QUARTS do not share the gemstone spellings; they share approximate pronunciations. In Connections, that distinction matters: unusual spellings can be a signal to sound the words out.
Complete 16-word grid
| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| Get better, as a broken bone | HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER |
| Not including | BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE |
| Tarot minor-arcana suits | CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS |
| Homophones of gemstones | CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS |
Solving notes
- Look for the tarot set. PENTACLES and WANDS are distinctive enough to suggest the category quickly.
- Separate the exclusion words. BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, and SAVE can all mean “not including” in the right grammatical construction.
- Use the bone-recovery clue precisely. KNIT is the unusual member of the yellow group, but it fits the idea of a broken bone joining or healing.
- Say suspicious words aloud. The purple set depends on sound, not exact spelling.
The published color order should not be treated as a required solving order. Connections does not require players to find the categories in yellow, green, blue, then purple—or in any other fixed sequence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the answer to NYT Connections #696 on May 7, 2025?
The categories were Get better, as a broken bone; Not including; Tarot minor-arcana suits; and Homophones of gemstones. The 16 answers were HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER; BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE; CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS; and CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS.
What did CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, and QUARTS mean in Connections #696?
They were sound-alike versions of CORAL, OPAL, PEARL, and QUARTZ. The category depended on pronunciation rather than exact spelling.
Was May 7, 2025 Connections puzzle #696 the same as the May 7, 2026 puzzle?
No. Connections numbers increase each day, so May 7, 2026 was a different puzzle with a later number. This page covers the historical game released on May 7, 2025, numbered #696.
Where can I play NYT Connections?
Connections is available through the New York Times Games website or app. Daily puzzle streaks are associated with the puzzle’s release day, so a historical answer page may refer to a puzzle that is no longer the current daily game.
The Bottom Line
Connections #696, released May 7, 2025, was: HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER; BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE; CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS; and CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS—the last four sounding like CORAL, OPAL, PEARL, and QUARTZ.
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