Today’s Connections puzzle will feel familiar to card players. For those needing assistance, we have provided hints and the full solution below.
The New York Times has also recently enhanced the Connections experience. A new “Connections Bot” is available after you play to analyze your game and provide a numerical score. Additionally, registered Times Games users can now track their personal statistics, including completion numbers, win rates, perfect scores, and current streaks.
Hints for Today’s Connections Categories
Below are clues for each of the four groups, starting with the most straightforward category.
- Yellow: Something you might find on a clearance rack.
- Green: To bother or annoy someone.
- Blue: It’s your turn at the card table.
- Purple: Think of dispensers and gym equipment.
Spoiler Alert: The solutions for today’s Connections puzzle are listed below.
Today’s Connections Answers
- Yellow — Discount: DEAL, PROMOTION, SALE, SPECIAL
- Green — Irritate: BUG, NETTLE, RUFFLE, STEAM
- Blue — Poker Actions: CALL, CHECK, FOLD, RAISE
- Purple — Things You Can Pump: BRAKES, FIST, GAS, IRON
Effective Strategies for Solving Connections
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Verbalize the Words: Saying each word aloud can help you identify phonetic connections or recognize their place in a common phrase, a frequent technique used by the puzzle creators.
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Beware of Red Herrings: Be cautious of obvious groupings, as they are often designed to mislead. For instance, a previous puzzle included SPONGE, BOB, SQUARE, and PANTS, yet none of these words belonged to the same category. Use the “Shuffle” button to rearrange the words and gain a new perspective.
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Analyze Word Components: Deconstruct compound words to search for hidden themes. A past puzzle connected words that each started with the name of a famous rock band, a pattern only visible upon closer inspection.
