.png){kind=logo}
In NYT Connections, the player's task is to sort 16 seemingly unrelated words into four secret categories. Each group varies in difficulty—from the simple yellow set to the deviously tricky purple.
Let’s understand the hints to solve the equation today.
Today's Theme: "ROUND THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS"
Look for names for objects that can be said to be spherical
Round shape objects that have three dimensions under these names
Think about geometric terms and everyday round objects
Hint: These words can all describe perfectly round objects in various contexts
Today's Theme: "PUNCH"
Focus on terms related to hitting or striking
Think about terms for a strong impact.
Consider formal and slang terms to mean "punch."
Hint: All means of describing giving someone or something a hard hit.
Today's Theme: "ANIMALS IN THE WITCHES' BREW IN 'MACBETH'"
Search for creatures spelled in the famous melting pot scene of Shakespeare, "double, double toil and trouble."
Think about what animal would be found in association with witchcraft.
Consider what could be the components of a magical potion or spell.
Hint: These creatures are within the ingredients listed in Act IV, Scene 1 of the brew.
Today's Theme: "FOX___"
These all can be followed by "FOX" to become common phrases or terms.
Consider where "FOX" might precede each word to create a familiar combination.
Think across different contexts: hunting, sports, animal terminology, and so forth.
Hint: Some of these combinations refer to hunting activities while others to characteristics.
The Purple category uses the "blank completion" technique we've seen before. When you see "FOX___", try completing the phrase with each word to identify which combinations form recognizable terms.
Blue category recognizing references to Shakespeare's works requires cultural and literary knowledge. This builds on tactics from the puzzle dated 5 April 2025, category demonstrates how Connections sometimes draws from specific texts.
For the Yellow category, identifying words that describe similarly shaped objects is a common Connections pattern. This approach has really worked during the 6 April 2025, where words were identified with similar meanings for actions involving penetration or puncturing.
The Green category features words with similar meanings—different ways to hit or punch. This build is reminiscent of the 7 April 2025 classification on familiar strategies where grouping verbs or actions with related functions leads to successful category identification.
For those who want the complete solutions to today's puzzle:
Yellow (Easiest): BALL, GLOBE, ORB, SPHERE
Green (Medium): POP, POUND, SLUG, SOCK
Blue (Challenging): BAT, DOG, FROG, NEWT
Purple (Hardest): GLOVE, HOLE, HOUND, TROT
Puzzle designer Wyna Liu developed Connections for the NY Times, part of the NYT Games family, in 2023. Today's game usage of concrete categories (balls) along with cultural references (Macbeth) and language routines (fox phrases) illustrates why the game still wins the hearts of those who know it – it uses more than the language.
