The New York Times Connections puzzle offers a daily dose of wordplay challenges, requiring players to categorize sixteen words into four groups of four based on shared themes or characteristics. This article provides hints and solutions for the December 26th puzzle, guiding players through the process of identifying the connections and offering strategic advice for tackling the game effectively.
Connections distinguishes the difficulty of each category with a color-coding system, ranging from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple). The game allows only four incorrect guesses before ending, emphasizing careful consideration and strategic thinking. There’s no time limit, allowing players to analyze the words at their own pace. A helpful tip from Connections editor Wyna Liu suggests that if five words seem to fit a category, it’s often beneficial to explore other groups first. This process of elimination can clarify the true connections and prevent incorrect guesses.
For the December 26th puzzle, the article provides clues to assist players in uncovering the connections between the words. The yellow category, themed “Not quite exact, but close enough,” includes words like “About,” “Around,” “Like,” and “Roughly,” all suggesting approximation. The green category, “Trees,” encompasses “Elder,” “Palm,” “Pine,” and “Spruce,” representing various types of trees. The blue category, “More than modest, less than excessive,” presents words like “Handsome,” “Healthy,” “Respectable,” and “Tidy,” all indicating a substantial but not extravagant amount. Finally, the purple category, “U.S. State Abbreviations, Per AP Style Guide,” consists of “ALA,” “ARK,” “MISS,” and “ORE,” representing Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oregon respectively.
These clues aim to provide just enough information to nudge players towards the correct solutions without revealing the answers outright. Players are encouraged to use the clues to decipher the connections themselves, experiencing the satisfaction of uncovering the themes independently.
The article then reveals the answers for those who are either stumped or prefer to see the solutions after attempting the puzzle. For the yellow category, the connection is words related to approximation, with words like “about,” “around,” “like,” and “roughly.” The green category focuses on trees, consisting of “elder,” “palm,” “pine,” and “spruce.” The blue category highlights words expressing a significant yet moderate quantity, such as “handsome,” “healthy,” “respectable,” and “tidy.” Finally, the purple category reveals its connection as U.S. state abbreviations as per the AP Style Guide, with “ALA,” “ARK,” “MISS,” and “ORE.”
Ultimately, the article celebrates the puzzle’s ability to blend challenge with enjoyment, offering a daily mental workout. It emphasizes that whether successful or not, each new puzzle presents an opportunity to refine one’s wordplay skills and analytical thinking. The daily refresh of the Connections puzzle provides a continuous source of engagement, encouraging players to return for more intellectual stimulation. The article concludes by reminding readers of the next puzzle’s availability and encouraging them to come back for more tips and solutions.
