Crack the Code: Thursday ‘Connections’ Puzzle Brings Brain-Teasing Fun
As the workweek winds down, the New York Times’ wildly popular game, Connections, keeps the challenge alive with its daily dose of word-based puzzling. Since its launch in June 2023, Connections has skyrocketed in popularity, now ranking as the publication second-most-played game after Wordle.
Thursday puzzle, rated 3.3 out of 5 for difficulty, didn’t disappoint. According to the Times, puzzle ratings are determined by a panel of testers who assess the challenge in advance, flagging any bugs or inconsistencies. Players tackling today game were met with clever word groupings that required sharp logic and a touch of linguistic flair to solve.
How to Play ‘Connections’
The premise is simple yet sophisticated: you’re presented with 16 words and tasked with sorting them into four categories, each linked by a subtle common thread. The categories are color-coded, with yellow being the easiest and purple often proving to be the trickiest.
Some words may seem to belong in multiple groups, adding an extra layer of complexity to the game. A helpful shuffle button lets players rearrange the words on the screen for a fresh perspective.
Wyna Liu, the crossword editor behind Connections, shared her top tip with Newsweek:
“My best piece of advice is to wait as long as you can before guessing. Don’t rush into identifying all four words in a category too soon—you might waste a turn. And definitely don’t rage solve!”
Thursday Puzzle: Clues and Answers
If today puzzle left you scratching your head, here a breakdown of the clues and answers for Connections #529:
Clues:
- Yellow: Different kinds of shirts.
- Green: Ingredients in a popular Taiwanese beverage.
- Blue: Words related to marine life.
- Purple: Beginnings of words that spell out types of pasta.
Answers:
- Yellow (Kinds of Shirts): Flannel, Oxford, Polo, Tee
- Green (Milk Tea Spheres): Boba, Bubble, Pearl, Tapioca
- Blue (Marine Invertebrates): Coral, Jelly, Sponge, Star
- Purple (Pasta Name Starts): Fett, Penn, Torte, Zit
Did you crack today puzzle, or did the purple category have you stumped? Either way, there always tomorrow challenge to look forward to.
Looking Ahead
New Connections puzzles go live at midnight in your local time zone, ensuring a fresh brain teaser for players every day. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or new to the game, one thing certain—there always fun in the challenge.
Stay tuned for more tips, hints, and answers from Newsweek as we guide you through the twists and turns of this addictive game.
