Discover The Exciting World Of Connections: The New York Times' Latest Puzzle Craze

It may only have launched in June 2023, but Connections is already The New York Times second-most-popular game after Wordle. This engaging word puzzle has quickly captured the hearts of puzzle enthusiasts, challenging players to group sixteen words into four distinct categories based on their associations. What seems like a simple task can turn out to be quite difficult, which is perhaps why it has become a staple for those who love a good brain workout.

Each day brings a new challenge, and if you're finding today's Connections brainteaser a bit tricky, you're not alone! Many players are looking for tips and strategies to improve their game. Thankfully, Newsweek has compiled some useful hints that could provide just the edge you need to conquer today's puzzle.

The basic premise of Connections is straightforward, but the execution is where the real fun lies. Players must think critically and creatively to make connections between seemingly unrelated words. As the game evolves, it incorporates clever wordplay and unique associations that keep players engaged and coming back for more.

How to Play Connections

If you've never played Connections before, the premise is easy enough to grasp. For instance, a recent game linked the words “Eggs,” “Knuckles,” “Smile,” and “Window,” which are all categorized as “Things to Crack.” Each of the four categories is assigned a color, indicating their difficulty level to regular players. Yellow represents the easiest category, followed by green, blue, and purple.

However, players should be prepared for a challenge, as the puzzles often employ homophones and wordplay to keep things interesting. Wyna Liu, the puzzle editor at NYT, explains that “there would have to be a mix of categories for the game to feel challenging and satisfying.” This mix can include categories defined by wordplay, rather than simply the literal meanings of the words.

Additionally, the familiarity of the words and their frequency in modern usage affects the difficulty level. Less common words are not solely reserved for harder categories, adding an extra layer of complexity. Liu emphasizes the importance of caution when selecting items that might stand out in the grid, as these could lead to immediate scrutiny by players.

Connections #351 Hints for Monday, May 27

Here are a few hints to help you solve today’s Connections puzzle:

• Yellow: You have the power to choose.
• Green: Train your pup.
• Blue: Hit the right note.
• Purple: ___ A kind of metal.

Connections #351 Answers for Monday, May 27

Here are the answers for today’s Connections categories:

• Yellow Answer: agency in decision making
• Yellow Words: Choice, say, vote, voice.
• Green Answer: dog commands
• Green Words: Down, heel, shake, speak.
• Blue Answer: kinds of notes.
• Blue Words: Flat, natural, quarter, whole.
• Purple Answer: ___ iron.
• Purple Words: Pump, steam, tire, waffle.

How many did you get right? Don't worry if today’s categories proved challenging. The great thing about Connections is that it resets at midnight in your time zone, allowing you to try again tomorrow!