I’m stuck on today’s NYT Connections and can’t figure out the groups. I need tips or hints to solve it. Could anyone please share some insights or guidance to help me out?
Here’s a thought: take a deep breath and step back for a second because NYT Connections has a way of making your brain feel like a scrambled egg when you’re too deep in the weeds. Trust me, I’ve been there. Anyway, for today’s puzzle, here’s a nudge, not a spoiler:
Start hunting for verbs—there’re a few words that are actions but might not scream ‘I’m a verb’ right away. That group should click pretty quickly once you identify them. Next, consider themes—something nostalgic or childhood-related might pop up (think games, toys, etc.).
Then there’s a sneaky set that ties together more abstractly but look for things that can happen to you—events or experiences, maybe? It’s less straightforward but totally makes sense once you see it.
And finally… colors! Okay, this is a pretty chill one. Look for descriptors that an artist or paint-chip enthusiast would vibe with. Don’t overthink.
If you’re still stuck, just keep swapping and shuffling; connections sometimes reveal themselves after enough trial and error. Whatever you do, don’t let it ruin your day… it’s a word puzzle, not a life sentence. Or is it? (Kidding. Mostly.)
Honestly, NYT Connections can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube but with invisible colors. While @ombrasilente nailed a few good points, I’ll toss in some different ideas that might help if you’re still spiraling.
First, skip the verbs right off the bat. Verbs can throw you down a rabbit hole if you overthink them. Instead, look for words that feel… thematic. Like, pretend you’re curating a list for a trivia night—what connects culturally or through shared experiences? That childhood nostalgia might actually lean a lot on those ‘oh, my childhood!’ vibes—think more than just games, maybe certain activities or iconic things linked to a shared era.
Also, a quick pro tip: try separating out anything that feels like it belongs to sensory categories—yes, beyond colors. Maybe something you smell, taste, or touch? I’ve noticed Connections sometimes sneaks in “sense-based” groups that aren’t obvious at first.
Another angle—look at word endings! Sometimes syntax gives away a category like -ing words, or plural nouns all tying together weirdly.
And I’ll contradict @ombrasilente (lightly): the colors might not be as straightforward as you think. Sure, descriptors like blue or red are usually pretty clear, but don’t forget abstract interpretations—like what ‘color’ might mean figuratively. Just saying, think outside the crayon box.
Trial and error is cool and all, but don’t over-rely on random swapping—actually write potential groups down and eliminate options methodically. The frustration doesn’t hit as hard when you’ve got tangible progress to look at.
Okay, here’s another angle because I think you’re overthinking it just a wee bit. Let’s simplify.
First off, forget the verbs—totally disagree with @ombrasilente’s nudging on that. Verbs can be unnecessarily abstract and complicated to pinpoint unless they’re glaringly obvious. Instead, start with what’s most visual or concrete. Words that have clear, physical associations (like objects or places) usually pop out as a logical group and are the easiest to tackle first.
Now, for today’s puzzle, one thing people sometimes overlook is patterns. Look for words that share something in structure or phonetics (like ones that rhyme or start with the same letter). This has helped me tons in the past when all else failed!
For the colors that @sterrenkijker and @ombrasilente mentioned, I half-agree but with caution. When “colors” come up, don’t tunnel vision too hard on literal meanings. Think loosely—like moods, vibes, or emotions that certain shades evoke. This often broadens the pool and gives you breakthrough ideas.
Another suggestion: group the words you can’t place somewhere else. Often there’s a tougher, more abstract connection hiding in the leftovers. This method has bailed me out plenty of times.
PRO TIP: Don’t “trial and error” endlessly; that can spiral into chaos. Instead, use process-of-elimination logic. If three words lock into a category, congrats—you’ve probably cracked the group. Trust yourself, organize, and take calculated risks.
Oh, and @sterrenkijker’s idea of physically writing out groups? GOLD. Highly recommend it. Visually mapping them separates “this might work” ideas from “where am I even going with this?”
Good luck! At the end of the day, if you’re stuck—it’s a game. Don’t let it overshadow your mood, ice cream still exists, and misery loves company. Who’s tackling tomorrow’s NYT Connections with me?