The New York Times‘ newest word puzzle, Connections, was only released in June 2023, but it is already a major hit.
It is the second-most-played game on the newspaper’s app after Wordle, which Newsweek also has some handy hints for if you feel like giving it a whirl.
How to Play ‘Connections’
The game requires players to find a common theme in a series of words. Players must group them to reveal the name of the categories.
Each puzzle has 16 words, and then each group of words is separated into four categories. The uniting themes are from a broad range of subjects, from similar sounds, to relating to a movie and even Halloween costumes.
If all four words are correctly placed into each set, those words will be removed from the board, and their category will be revealed at the top. Each incorrect guess counts toward the mistake tally. Players can make up to four mistakes before the game ends.
Rob Kim/Getty Images for The Webby Awards
The game also has a shuffle button, which will mix up where the words appear on the screen to help players who might be stuck. The game’s creator, Wyna Liu, recently said the original placement of the words is done on purpose to try to mislead players.
The New York Times rates the daily puzzle for difficulty, which is worked out “by averaging the ratings provided by a panel of testers who are paid to solve each puzzle in advance to help us catch bugs, inconsistencies and other issues. A higher rating means the puzzle is more difficult.”
The answers for today’s Connections puzzle will be revealed at the end of this article, so please scroll with caution if you want to work them out yourself.
‘Connections’ #347 Clues for Thursday, May 23
Newsweek has some hints to help you figure out today’s Connections categories.
Yellow: To be manipulated.
Green: These words can mean something has ended.
Blue: What reporters might write about.
Purple: Hi. Hello. Hiya.
‘Connections’ #347 Answers for Thursday, May 23
Yellow Category: Take Advantage Of
Yellow Words: Exploit, Leverage, Use, Milk
Green Category: Finished, As Time
Green Words: Done, Over, Through, Up
Blue Category: Newspaper Desks
Blue Words: City, Copy, Culture, Sports
Purple Category: Words Beginning With Greetings
Purple Words: Heyday, Hijinks, Supper, Yogurt
Did you guess the answers correctly? If so, congratulations. If not, there will be another opportunity to crack the puzzle tomorrow.
Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone. Newsweek will be back with another round of hints and tips for each new game.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
