Connections, the daily word puzzle game, presents a fresh challenge every day, even on weekends, offering a stimulating mental workout for players of all levels. The game involves identifying four words from a grid of sixteen that share a common category. These categories are color-coded according to difficulty, ranging from the easiest yellow to progressively harder green, blue, and finally, the most challenging purple. The objective is to correctly identify all four sets of connected words. For example, a previous puzzle categorized “braid,” “bun,” “pony,” and “twist” under the blue category “Ways to wear your hair up.” This illustrates the type of connections players need to discern to succeed.
The gameplay is straightforward. Players select four words they believe belong to the same category and click the “submit” button. If their guess is correct, the words disappear from the grid and are displayed in the corresponding category color. An incorrect guess leaves the words grey and on the grid. A “shuffle” button is available to rearrange the words on the grid, potentially revealing new connections. A key strategy, as advised by Wyna Liu, the game’s editor, is to avoid premature guesses. Even if a seemingly obvious category emerges with five potential words, it’s crucial to pinpoint the word that doesn’t belong before submitting a guess to avoid wasting a turn. This emphasizes the importance of careful observation and deduction.
For those struggling with the December 14th puzzle (#552), the following hints are provided. The yellow category, the easiest, focuses on “Names of scaly creatures that swim underwater.” The green category, a step up in difficulty, involves “Words you might hear from an auctioneer.” The blue category, representing a higher level of challenge, centers on “Ways to pay with cash around the world.” Finally, the most difficult purple category involves “These words can appear before another word that means something you can drink from.” These hints offer a starting point for players to unravel the connections and successfully solve the puzzle.
To provide further assistance, the specific answers for the December 14th puzzle are revealed. The yellow category, “FISH,” includes the words “Fluke,” “Mullet,” “Sole,” and “Tang.” The green category, “WORDS IN AN AUCTION-ENDING PHRASE,” comprises “Going,” “Once,” “Sold,” and “Twice.” The blue category, “GLOBAL CURRENCIES,” consists of “Pound,” “Real,” “Sol,” and “Yuan.” And finally, the purple category, “WORDS BEFORE ‘CUP’,” includes “Butter,” “Diva,” “Solo,” and “World.” These solutions illuminate the connections between the words within each category, providing a clear understanding of the puzzle’s logic.
Whether you successfully deciphered the puzzle or not, Connections offers a daily opportunity to test your word association skills and logical reasoning. The game releases at midnight in your local time zone, providing a fresh challenge every day. For those seeking further mental stimulation, Wordle, another popular word puzzle from The New York Times, provides an alternative challenge.
Newsweek offers daily hints and tips for both Connections and Wordle, providing valuable assistance to players seeking to improve their performance. These resources can help players develop strategies, enhance their vocabulary, and refine their problem-solving abilities. Whether you are a seasoned puzzle solver or a newcomer to the world of word games, these daily challenges offer an engaging and rewarding experience, encouraging mental agility and expanding your lexical knowledge.
