The latest New York Times Connections puzzle (#967) challenges players with four groups of words connected by subtle themes. This guide provides hints and full solutions for those seeking assistance.
Understanding the Game
Connections is a word-association game where players must group four words that share a common link. The difficulty increases with each category, ranging from straightforward (yellow) to highly abstract (purple). The Times now offers a bot to score and analyze player performance, including win rates and streaks, catering to competitive solvers.
Hints for Each Category
Here’s a breakdown of the hints, ranked by difficulty:
- Yellow: This category revolves around a fundamental concept of measurement. Think about how we define the passage of existence.
- Green: This group requires something to gain access. Consider items often required for events or secure locations.
- Blue: This one taps into contemporary detective fiction. The words represent famous figures in the genre.
- Purple: This is the trickiest, relying on wordplay. The connection involves natural elements combined with an added letter.
Full Solutions Revealed
Here are the correct groupings for today’s Connections puzzle:
- Yellow (Duration): The words Interval, Period, Span, and Stretch all represent different ways to measure time.
- Green (Credentials for Entry): The answers Lanyard, Pass, Stamp, and Wristband are all forms of identification used to grant access.
- Blue (Modern Crime Series Protagonists): The solution is Bosch, Cross, Reacher, and Ryan — each a lead character from popular crime fiction.
- Purple (Trees plus a Letter): The final group is based on trees with a letter added to the end: Fair (fir), Marple (maple), Popular (poplar), and Psalm (palm).
Why This Matters
The rising popularity of games like Connections reflects an increasing appetite for daily mental challenges. The Times’ integration of scoring bots and progress tracking demonstrates a trend toward gamification and data-driven engagement with puzzles. It encourages repeat play and deeper involvement from users.
Solving today’s Connections puzzle requires a blend of vocabulary, lateral thinking, and familiarity with popular culture. The purple category, in particular, highlights the game’s capacity for playful deception.
