The New York Times’ Connections puzzle, a rising star in the world of online word games, presents a daily challenge for players to categorize a grid of 16 words into four groups of four, each linked by a common theme. Developed by Wyna Liu, an NYT crossword editor, Connections has quickly gained traction as the newspaper’s second most popular game, trailing only the ubiquitous Wordle. The game’s unexpected success has been a source of delight for Liu, who expressed her excitement about the game’s resonance with a broad audience. This article provides hints and, ultimately, the solutions for the Connections puzzle #545, released on Saturday, December 7, 2023.
Playing Connections is straightforward: players are presented with a 16-word grid and must identify four groups of four words that share a common characteristic. These categories are color-coded by difficulty, ranging from the easiest (yellow) to the hardest (purple), with green and blue representing medium difficulty. Players submit their groupings, and correct answers are highlighted in the respective category color and removed from the grid. Incorrect guesses remain on the board, appearing gray. Players have four attempts to solve the puzzle, and there is no time limit, allowing for leisurely contemplation. A shuffle button is available to rearrange the words on the grid, potentially sparking new connections.
For the December 7th puzzle, specific hints were offered to guide players towards the solutions. The yellow category, themed “Think of Together,” included the words “Affiliate,” “Associate,” “Equate,” and “Relate.” The green category, focused on “Ways to Attract Fish,” comprised “Bait,” “Chum,” “Fly,” and “Lure.” The blue category, centering around “W.N.B.A. Teams,” included “Liberty,” “Storm,” “Sun,” and “Wings.” Finally, the purple category, featuring words that follow “Long,” consisted of “Bow,” “Fellow,” “Horn,” and “Legs.”
The solutions to the December 7th puzzle reveal the connections between the words within each category. The yellow category, “Think of Together,” highlights words that are synonymous with associating or connecting ideas or entities. The green category, “Ways to Attract Fish,” focuses on methods used in angling. The blue category, “W.N.B.A. Teams,” lists names of professional women’s basketball teams. Lastly, the purple category, “Long ____,” presents words that, when preceded by “Long,” form compound words or phrases. These solutions illustrate the diverse range of categories and the varying levels of difficulty that Connections offers.
For those who successfully solved the puzzle, congratulations! For those who didn’t, a new puzzle is released daily at midnight local time, offering a fresh opportunity to engage with the game. Newsweek provides ongoing hints and solutions for these daily puzzles, providing a helpful resource for players. The article encourages players seeking further word game challenges to explore other popular options, suggesting that Connections is part of a wider landscape of engaging word-based entertainment. The game’s accessible format and daily release schedule contribute to its growing popularity, providing a regular dose of mental stimulation and a sense of accomplishment for those who successfully decipher the connections.
Connections, with its simple yet engaging gameplay, has carved a niche for itself among word puzzle enthusiasts. Its rapid ascent to become the second most popular game on the New York Times platform is a testament to its appeal. The game’s format encourages lateral thinking and vocabulary exploration, offering a rewarding experience for players of all skill levels. The daily release of new puzzles ensures a continuous stream of challenges, fostering a sense of anticipation and community among players. The availability of hints and solutions through platforms like Newsweek further enhances the accessibility and enjoyment of the game, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the online word game arena.
