Finding Monday’s Connections Puzzle Challenging? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you’re struggling with Monday’s Connections puzzle, don’t worry—Newsweek has assembled some helpful hints to guide you through it without giving away too many spoilers. Since its debut in The New York Times in June 2023, Connections has become a fan favorite, ranking just behind Wordle in popularity. This engaging puzzle challenges players to group 16 words into four distinct categories based on subtle connections, requiring a blend of logical thinking and strong language skills. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, these tips will help you navigate the game with confidence.
How to Play Connections: A Step-by-Step Guide
Connections is a word-based puzzle where players must categorize 16 words into four different groups. Each category is color-coded by difficulty, with yellow being the easiest and green, blue, and purple indicating increasing levels of challenge. The puzzles often feature clever elements like homophones and wordplay, making them anything but straightforward. If you find yourself stuck, don’t panic! You can use the shuffle button to rearrange the words on the screen, which might give you a fresh perspective.
To master Connections, it’s essential to approach the game strategically. Wyna Liu, the crossword editor at The New York Times who developed the puzzle, shared some valuable advice in an interview with Newsweek. Her top tip? “My top advice is to hold off on guessing as long as you can,” she said. “You might spot a clear category and think you see five words that fit, but don’t try guessing the four until you’re sure which one doesn’t belong. Jumping in too soon can cost you a turn.” Liu also warned against “rage solving,” a tactic she admitted to occasionally resorting to, where players randomly guess in frustration. Patience, she emphasized, is key to solving the puzzle successfully.
Connections #624 Clues for Monday, February 24
If you’re tackling Monday’s puzzle and need a nudge in the right direction, here are some hints to help you figure out the categories:
- Yellow Category: How you might eat if you’re particularly hungry.
- Green Category: How an object might react if a heavy load were placed on it.
- Blue Category: These might adorn the arm of a sailor or even a pirate.
- Purple Category: These words are anatomically based, but take on different meanings with one addition.
These clues should help you start connecting the dots and figuring out the categories without giving everything away. Take your time, and remember to think creatively—sometimes the connections are more subtle than they seem.
Connections #624 Answers for Monday, February 24
Did you manage to solve Monday’s puzzle? If not, don’t worry! Here’s a breakdown of the answers to help you understand how the categories come together:
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Yellow Category: Eat voraciously
Words: Gobble, gulp, scarf, wolf
These words all describe ways of eating quickly or hungrily. -
Green Category: Bend under pressure
Words: Bow, buckle, cave, give
These words describe how objects or people might react when subjected to heavy loads or pressure. -
Blue Category: Classic nautical tattoos
Words: Anchor, compass, mermaid, swallow
These are all popular tattoo designs often associated with sailors or pirate culture. - Purple Category: Body parts plus letter
Words: Butte, China, hearth, shine
These words are based on body parts (butt, chin, heart, shin) with one letter added to create new, unrelated words.
If you nailed the puzzle, congratulations! If not, there’s always another chance to test your skills with Tuesday’s puzzle.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Challenge and Have Fun
Connections is more than just a puzzle—it’s a test of creativity, logic, and linguistic knowledge. While it can be tricky at times, it’s also incredibly rewarding when you finally figure out those elusive connections. Remember to take your time, think outside the box, and avoid the temptation to guess randomly. With practice, you’ll get better at spotting patterns and making sense of the subtler clues.
If you have a story or question about Connections or any other puzzle, feel free to reach out to Newsweek at LiveNews@newsweek.com. Keep puzzling, and happy solving!
