NYT Connections Answer & Hints for August 30, 2025 — Puzzle #811

Stuck on today’s Connections? Below you’ll find an intro, full definitions of all 16 words, spoiler-light hints, category titles, one word from each group, and the complete solution.

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About Today’s Connections Puzzle

Puzzle #811 (published August 30, 2025) balances pop culture and music trivia with slang contrasts: genres, insults, compliments, and contemporary composers.

Definitions of the 16 Words

Alphabetical order to avoid hinting at groupings:

Word	Short definition
BITE	To cut into with teeth; slang, “to bite” = to be bad or unpleasant.
BLOW	A strong gust of air; slang, “to blow” = to be awful or fail badly.
CAGE	John Cage, 20th-century American avant-garde composer.
EMO	A rock music genre emphasizing emotional expression.
ENO	Brian Eno, English musician and producer known for ambient and experimental works.
EAT	To consume food; slang, “to eat” = to succeed impressively (“she ate that performance”).
FUNK	A music genre rooted in African American communities, with syncopated rhythms and groove.
GLASS	Philip Glass, American minimalist composer.
METAL	Short for heavy metal, a loud and aggressive rock genre.
POP	A popular music genre with wide mainstream appeal.
REICH	Steve Reich, American minimalist composer known for repetitive structures.
ROCK	A genre of popular music with electric instruments; slang, “to rock” = to excel.
RULE	To govern; slang, “to rule” = to be excellent or dominate.
SLAY	To kill; slang, “to slay” = to perform outstandingly or impress strongly.
STINK	To smell bad; slang, “to stink” = to be terrible.
SUCK	To draw in air/liquid by suction; slang, “to suck” = to be very bad.