Saturday’s New York Times Connections puzzle left players feeling both confused and amazed after they were confronted with one of the trickiest grids in recent memory. The game, known for its subtle word groupings, introduced a category so clever it bordered on absurd. The theme involved words that secretly ended with the names of medieval weapons, a twist that stumped even seasoned puzzle solvers and sparked widespread discussion online.
A Challenge Filled with Red Herrings
From the moment players saw the 16 words, the puzzle felt different. Many users, including Connections commentator Kris Holt, immediately fell into well-laid traps. It seemed logical to group words like SIGN, BANNER, and HEADER into a category related to advertising or website design.
These initial assumptions, however, led nowhere. The game’s design masterfully punished players for overthinking or settling on the most obvious connections. Each incorrect guess only added to the growing frustration, as seemingly perfect groups were rejected time and time again, forcing a complete rethink of the entire grid.
The Solutions to Saturday’s Puzzle
For those who were left stumped, the final categories were a mix of straightforward and mind-bending logic. While the yellow and green groups were relatively standard for the game, the blue and purple groups required a significant mental leap.
The solution grid below shows the four categories that players had to uncover.
| Category (Color) | Words in the Group |
| Employ (Yellow) | CONTRACT, ENGAGE, RETAIN, SIGN |
| Parts of a Website (Green) | BANNER, HEADER, MENU, SIDEBAR |
| Magazines (Blue) | BILLBOARD, PEOPLE, STAR, TIME |
| Ending with Medieval Weapons (Purple) | CROSSWORD, GRIMACE, RAINBOW, SEMBLANCE |
Decoding the Impossible Purple Group
The purple category was, by all accounts, the main source of difficulty. The connection was that each word’s ending spelled out a medieval weapon. This type of wordplay is rare and requires players to look beyond the word’s meaning and focus on its structure.
The hidden weapons were:
- CROSSWORD contains sword
- GRIMACE contains mace
- RAINBOW contains bow
- SEMBLANCE contains lance
This clever twist was the ultimate “aha!” moment for those who solved it but a point of frustration for the many who did not. Even Kris Holt admitted that the connection felt like a stretch, showing just how challenging the puzzle was designed to be.
The Enduring Appeal of Connections
Despite the difficulty, or perhaps because of it, the game continues to attract a massive daily audience. Its popularity stems from a simple formula that combines logic, general knowledge, and creative wordplay. The satisfaction of solving a tough grid and sharing the results with friends keeps players coming back.
The daily ritual of tackling the four groups provides a quick but rewarding mental workout. Saturday’s puzzle is a perfect example of how the game can challenge our perception and remind us that sometimes the most unusual patterns are hiding in plain sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the hardest category in Saturday’s NYT Connections?
The purple category, “Ending with Medieval Weapons,” was widely considered the most difficult. Players had to find the words sword, mace, bow, and lance hidden at the end of CROSSWORD, GRIMACE, RAINBOW, and SEMBLANCE.
Why was the puzzle so confusing for many players?
The puzzle included many red herrings. For example, words like SIGN, BANNER, and BILLBOARD seemed to belong together in an advertising theme, which turned out to be incorrect and misled many players from the actual solutions.
What are some tips for solving difficult Connections puzzles?
Try not to fixate on the first connection you see. Look for alternative meanings of words and consider categories based on structure, like homophones or hidden words, especially for the purple group. If you’re stuck, step away for a few minutes to see the grid with fresh eyes.
