Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, NYT Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections?
The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
These connections can be based on various criteria, such as:
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Synonyms or related meanings (e.g., Large, Huge, Gigantic, Massive)
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Categories (e.g., Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Hamster – all pets)
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Homophones (e.g., Flour, Flower, Our, Hour)
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Cultural references (e.g., Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image – all comic book publishers)
The game updates daily, ensuring fresh and engaging challenges for players.
Origins and Evolution of NYT Connections
The New York Times has been a leading provider of puzzles for decades, with its crossword puzzle being a staple since 1942. Following the acquisition of Wordle in 2022, the company sought to introduce new interactive word games that would appeal to a broad audience.
NYT Connections was launched as part of this initiative, offering a novel approach to word puzzles. The game quickly gained traction due to its engaging format and the satisfaction players experience when discovering unexpected word relationships.
Unlike traditional word games that focus on vocabulary and spelling, NYT Connections challenges players’ lateral thinking skills, making it a unique and refreshing addition to the NYT Games collection.
About New York Times Games
What Are Today’s Connections Hints?
Scroll slowly! Just after the hints for each of today’s Connections groups, I’ll reveal what the groups are without immediately telling you which words go into them.
Today’s 16 words are…
- PHONE
- SWAY
- SCRATCH
- WAVE
- RIGHT
- CHIP
- PAPER
- DING
- CORRECT
- SCOPE
- TOUCH
- GREEN
- MOVE
- BINGO
- CHANGE
- REACH
And the hints for today’s Connections groups are:
- Yellow group — pull the heartstrings
- Green group — what you’d want to hear on a game show or at trivia
- Blue group — like bones or cheddar
- Purple group — “manager” and “organism” would fit in here
What Are Today’s Connections Groups?
Need some extra help?
Be warned: we’re starting to get into spoiler territory.
Today’s Connections groups are…
- Yellow group — affect
- Green group — you got it!
- Blue group — slang for money
- Purple group — objects with the prefix “micro-“
What Are Today’s Connections Answers?
Spoiler alert! Don’t scroll any further down the page until you’re ready to find out today’s Connections answers.
This is your final warning!
Today’s Connections answers are…
- Yellow group — affect (MOVE, REACH, SWAY, TOUCH)
- Green group — you got it! (BINGO, CORRECT, DING, RIGHT)
- Blue group — slang for money (CHANGE, GREEN, PAPER, SCRATCH)
- Purple group — objects with the prefix “micro-” (CHIP, PHONE, SCOPE, WAVE)
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
- Yellow: Parts of a table setting
- Green: Increased, with “up”
- Blue: Kinds of digital storage
- Purple: Units of volume plus letter
Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
Strategies for Solving NYT Connections Efficiently
While NYT Connections can be tricky, players can use certain strategies to improve their chances of success:
Start with the Obvious Groups
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Look for simple and clear categories, such as color names, animals, or professions.
Identify Outliers
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Some words might not seem to fit anywhere. These can serve as a clue to a less obvious connection.
Consider Multiple Meanings
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Words often have different meanings. For instance, “Bass” can refer to both a fish and a musical instrument.
Use the Process of Elimination
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If struggling, remove confirmed words and re-evaluate the remaining ones.
Take Breaks and Reassess
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Stepping away for a few minutes can help you see connections you missed before.
By applying these techniques, players can enhance their problem-solving skills and improve their performance in the game.
Why is NYT Connections So Popular?
Daily Challenge Keeps Players Engaged
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The game updates every day, providing fresh content and preventing monotony.
Encourages Critical Thinking
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Players develop pattern recognition and analytical skills, making it both fun and mentally stimulating.
Appeals to a Wide Audience
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The game is accessible to people of all ages, from students to professionals to retirees.
Community Engagement
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Many players discuss puzzles on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit, sharing hints and debating tricky connections.
5. Educational Value
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Teachers use NYT Connections in classrooms to enhance vocabulary, encourage logical reasoning, and promote collaborative learning.
Comparison: NYT Connections vs. Other Word Games
| Feature | NYT Connections | Wordle | Crossword | Spelling Bee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Type | Word Association | Word Guessing | Clue-Based | Word Formation |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate | Hard | Easy to Hard |
| Daily Challenge | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lateral Thinking Needed? | Yes | No | Somewhat | No |
NYT Connections stands out because it uniquely tests a player’s ability to identify relationships rather than simply guess words or solve clues.
Final Thoughts: Is NYT Connections Worth Playing?
NYT Connections has quickly become a favorite among word game enthusiasts, offering a fresh take on puzzle-solving that challenges lateral thinking and pattern recognition. Its daily updates keep players engaged, while its clever word associations provide both fun and learning opportunities. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated solver, the game’s blend of strategy and discovery makes it a rewarding experience. With its growing popularity and active community, NYT Connections continues to cement its place as a must-play game for word lovers everywhere.
With its clever word associations, daily updates, and social media buzz, NYT Connections has firmly established itself as a must-try game for anyone who loves playing with words.