Finding Monday’s Connections Puzzle Challenging? Look No Further

The Connections puzzle, a brainchild of The New York Times, has quickly become a fan favorite since its debut in June 2023. Currently, it ranks just below Wordle in popularity, captivating players with its unique challenge of categorizing words based on subtle connections. While the puzzle demands both logical thinking and strong language skills, it’s designed to be fun and engaging. If you’re struggling with Monday’s puzzle, don’t worry—Newsweek has assembled some helpful hints and tips to guide you without giving too much away. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, these insights will help you navigate the game with confidence.

How To Play Connections

Connections challenges players to divide 16 words into four distinct categories based on their relationships. 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 far from simple. If you find yourself stuck, don’t panic! You can press the shuffle button to rearrange the words on the screen, which might give you a fresh perspective. The goal is to think creatively and make connections that aren’t immediately obvious.

Wyna Liu, the crossword editor at The New York Times who developed Connections, shared some valuable advice in an interview with Newsweek. "My top advice is to hold off on guessing as long as you can," Liu 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. Her tips emphasize patience and careful observation, which are key to mastering the game.

Hints and Answers for Connections #624

For those tackling Monday, February 24th’s puzzle, Newsweek has provided some hints to help you figure out the categories. Here’s a breakdown:

• 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.

If you’re still unsure, here are the answers:

• Yellow category: Eat voraciously. Words include Gobble, Gulp, Scarf, Wolf.
• Green category: Bend under pressure. Words include Bow, Buckle, Cave, Give.
• Blue category: Classic nautical tattoos. Words include Anchor, Compass, Mermaid, Swallow.
• Purple category: Body parts plus letter. Words include Butte, China, Hearth, Shine.

If you guessed correctly, congratulations! If not, don’t worry—there’s always another puzzle to solve on Tuesday.

Mastering the Puzzle

The key to excelling at Connections lies in patience and observation. Liu’s advice to delay guessing until you’re certain is crucial. It’s easy to spot one or two obvious connections, but the real challenge lies in figuring out the fourth category. Sometimes, the words that seem out of place at first are the ones that hold the key to solving the puzzle.

Another important strategy is to pay attention to wordplay, such as homophones or double meanings. For example, the word China can refer to the country or fine porcelain, while Hearth can mean the floor of a fireplace or a type of letter H added to a body part (Heart). These clever twists are what make Connections both challenging and rewarding.

The Appeal of Connections

Since its debut, Connections has attracted a huge fanbase, likely due to its unique combination of logic and creativity. Unlike Wordle, which focuses on guessing a single word, Connections requires players to think outside the box and make unexpected links between words. The color-coded difficulty levels also make the game accessible to a wide range of players, from casual puzzle enthusiasts to seasoned word game veterans.

The game’s popularity can also be attributed to its daily format, which keeps players engaged and eager for the next challenge. Whether you’re solving it on your commute or relaxing at home, Connections offers a fun and intellectual workout.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with Monday’s Connections puzzle, take a deep breath and remember Liu’s advice: patience is key. Don’t rush to guess, and take your time to observe the words carefully. With practice, you’ll become better at spotting subtle connections and solving the puzzles efficiently.

Did you guess the answers correctly? If so, congratulations! If not, there’s always another opportunity to crack a new puzzle on Tuesday. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated fan, Connections offers a delightful challenge that will keep you coming back for more.

If you have a story to share or questions about this article, feel free to reach out to Newsweek at LiveNews@newsweek.com. Happy puzzling!