Connections Hints
One of the more challenging New York Times word games, Connections Hints requires players to group words together based on hidden themes. If you’re stuck and need some hints, this guide will help.
The game’s categories can be anything from pop culture references to overlapping items and tricky rhymes, and the Times uses these elements to make the puzzle harder than it looks.
What is Connections?
Released in 2022, Connections is the New York Times’ latest daily game. It’s like Wordle, but with more obscure links between words. The game asks players to organize words into categories based on what they have in common. Categories might be types of fish, pasta shapes, NFL teams or mild oaths. They could be anything dreamed up by NYT editors, and they can be tricky to solve.
The puzzle resets every 24 hours with a new set of words. The goal is to find groups of four that have something in common and complete the game with as few mistakes as possible. To help, we’re compiling a list of tips and tricks for each day’s puzzle. One of the most important things to remember is to shuffle.
How Do You Guess Connections Groups?
The New York Times offers a daily word game called Connections that challenges players to sort 16 words into groups of four that have something in common. Each group of four words has a different theme and is color coded. Yellow groups are the easiest, green and blue fall in the middle, and purple is meant to be the most difficult. Each time you select a group and make a mistake, you lose a life.
The game gets trickier with each day you play. For example, a recent purple category was comprised of words that could be spelled upside down on a Gen X calculator (like eggshell, giggle, hello, and that old favorite: boob). So, think beyond the literal meaning of the words and look for obscure connections.
Are the Words Synonyms?
Synonyms are words with similar meanings that have subtle distinctions from each other. They help improve word choice when writing by providing a range of options to convey the same idea. However, overusing synonyms is a problem because it can lose nuance and confuse the reader.
When playing Connections, think beyond what each word means and look for patterns. Some groups are obvious – for example, yellow, green and blue all have something to do with biology. But other groups are a little more obscure – for example, red has to do with items you can click and purple has to do with bodies. The more you play, the better you’ll get at spotting these elusive connections. Each new day brings a fresh set of 16 seemingly disparate words that you must group into four categories of four.
Are There Any Red Herrings?
Connections is one of the most popular New York Times word games, but it can also be fiendishly tricky. The game requires players to divide a block of sixteen words into groups that share a common theme. This can be straightforward, but the game often uses homophones and other techniques to keep players guessing.
The game’s creators aren’t afraid to throw in some red herrings, either. For example, Monday’s groupings included synonyms for the verb rummage and ways to describe thunder sounds.
One tip for avoiding these tricks is to always look for distinct words. If a word seems to have multiple meanings, try saying it out loud. It might help you find a grouping that you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Also, don’t be afraid to shuffle the board.
Are There Any Discreet Words?
The New York Times’ brainteasing game Connections offers a daily challenge that requires pattern recognition, linguistic knowledge and lateral thinking. It has become one of the newspaper’s most popular games, second only to Wordle, and keeps players coming back for more.
Players are shown a grid of 16 words and must sort them into groups of four based on their common themes. They can be anything from a series of video game titles to the colors in the rainbow or names of chain restaurants.
It’s a game that can be pretty tricky, and the developers have built in plenty of ambiguity to ensure that it’s tough to win. But there are ways to beat the puzzle and keep your winning streak going. Here are a few tips.