A new word game is taking over digital screens, and it’s not Wordle. ‘Connections,’ the latest daily puzzle from The New York Times, has players hooked, challenging them to find commonalities between seemingly unrelated words. The game has quickly amassed a following, sparking debates, social media shares, and even frustration as players struggle to crack the puzzle before exhausting their four chances.
A New Obsession for Word Game Lovers
Wordle became a cultural phenomenon in 2022, but the appetite for word puzzles didn’t end there. The New York Times saw an opportunity to introduce another daily challenge, and ‘Connections’ was born. Created by associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, the game has gained a dedicated player base that eagerly awaits each day’s reset at midnight.
The rules are simple yet deceivingly tricky. Players must group 16 words into four sets based on a shared connection. While some categories seem straightforward, others can be maddeningly ambiguous. A player’s ability to recognize patterns and make linguistic leaps determines success.
How ‘Connections’ Works
The game presents 16 words, each capable of belonging to multiple groups. However, there is only one correct way to categorize them. Each group consists of four words sharing a common theme—be it book titles, grocery items, or things found in a toolbox.
- Players are allowed up to four mistakes before the game ends.
- Words can be shuffled to gain a fresh perspective.
- Categories are color-coded: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest).
- Results can be shared on social media, much like Wordle’s signature grid.
Once a player correctly identifies a group, those words disappear, making the remaining words slightly easier to organize. But the challenge lies in differentiating subtle nuances—one wrong assumption can lead to a domino effect of failed attempts.
Social Media Fuels the Craze
Like Wordle, ‘Connections’ thrives on social engagement. Players flock to X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to share their victories, vent about tricky puzzles, and debate the logic behind specific categories. Some puzzles spark fierce discussions, especially when a set seems to have multiple viable answers.
Memes, strategy tips, and spoiler-free hints have become part of the daily routine for many enthusiasts. In some cases, the frustration of narrowly missing a perfect score only fuels players’ determination to come back the next day.
Strategies to Master the Puzzle
While no strategy guarantees a win, veteran players have developed some effective techniques:
- Scan for obvious categories first. Yellow groups are designed to be the easiest, offering a good starting point.
- Shuffle the words. A fresh arrangement can help spot overlooked patterns.
- Think laterally. Some categories rely on puns, idioms, or pop culture references.
- Look for prefixes or suffixes. Some puzzles include words that all start or end the same way.
- Eliminate distractions. If a word doesn’t fit a potential category, set it aside mentally and refocus.
Today’s Challenge: A Sneak Peek
For those eager to test their skills, here are today’s category hints:
- Yellow: A physical message
- Green: Found in ALDI, Costco, etc.
- Blue: Things with tags
- Purple: The first word is the same
And for those who need a final nudge, today’s categories are:
- Yellow: Printed notification
- Green: Seen at a grocery store checkout counter
- Blue: Things with tabs
- Purple: Palm __
Whether you solve it in one try or burn through all four mistakes, one thing is clear—‘Connections’ has firmly cemented itself as The New York Times’ latest puzzle obsession. And with each passing day, the challenge only gets trickier.
