The New York Times’ popular Connections puzzle continues to challenge word lovers with its clever groupings and clever clues. Today’s puzzle (Connections #856) offers four categories that test your word knowledge, from easy groupings to the trickiest purple category that requires some letter removal.
Today’s Connections Challenge
The puzzle features four color-coded categories:
– Yellow: Easiest grouping
– Green: Medium difficulty
– Blue: More challenging
– Purple: Trickiest category
The purple category requires players to remove the starting letter from four words and discover their connection. This daily challenge keeps players engaged and sharpens their language skills.
The Puzzle Categories
Yellow Group: Captivate
These four words share a common theme related to capturing attention or interest:
– Absorb
– Engage
– Hold
– Occupy
Green Group: Summary
These words all relate to condensing information or presenting it in a concise form:
– Brief
– Digest
– Outline
– Review
Blue Group: Halt
This category features words that mean to stop or slow something down:
– Check
– Curb
– Stanch
– Stem
Purple Group: Animals Minus Starting Letter
The most challenging category requires removing the first letter from each word:
– Anther (Panther)
– Easel (Weasel)
– Hark (Shark)
– Lama (Llama)
Tips for Future Connections Puzzles
Connections requires more than just vocabulary—it demands pattern recognition and creative thinking. Here are some strategies to improve your gameplay:
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Read the words aloud : Pronouncing the words can help you hear potential connections and phrases.
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Avoid the obvious : Sometimes the most common association isn’t the correct one. Be prepared to look beyond the first connection that comes to mind.
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Break down compound words : Look for words that can be split into parts that reveal hidden meanings or relationships.
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Consider multiple meanings : Many words have multiple definitions that might fit different categories.
About Connections
Since its debut, Connections has become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of players testing their word knowledge each week. The game’s appeal lies in its clever groupings and the satisfaction of finding the hidden connections between seemingly unrelated words.
The New York Times has enhanced the experience with a dedicated Connections Bot, allowing players to track their performance, win streaks, and overall progress. This digital companion provides numerical scores and detailed analysis of gameplay.
Whether you’re a seasoned Connections veteran or new to the game, each puzzle offers a fresh challenge that celebrates language, creativity, and pattern recognition
