December 9, 2024 Puzzle #547: Today’s Connection Clues & Solutions

If you’re trying to crack today’s Connections puzzle and feeling a bit like Scooby-Doo on the case, consider taking a peek at some hints before diving back in. Today’s selection has quite a few words that might belong in multiple categories, which almost threw me off my game, leaving me with a relieved “Phew” after solving it. Thankfully, I managed to succeed, and now I’m here to help you do the same with these helpful hints.

If you’re looking for a puzzle that’s equally challenging but slightly more forgiving than Connections, you should give the NYT’s Letter Boxed a shot. In my experience, it’s a notch tougher than Connections because it requires you to keep more factors in mind and has a bit more complicated set of rules. The upside is that there are no limits on guesses throughout the day, aside from the daily cutoff, making it a fun challenge to explore. You can always step away when you’re ahead.

Today’s Connections Category Hints

DECEMBER 09 #547

The real challenge today lies in placing the words correctly, as many of them seem to intersect. Pay close attention to the specifics in order to distinguish how to categorize these words effectively, which is totally possible. Here are four clues to assist you:

• One category focuses on a process that occurs when you ponder something for a while
• Another category involves items useful for actions that could be crucial in a survival scenario
• There’s also a category for tools associated with activities typically seen in a laboratory
• Lastly, one category comprises words that can follow the same letter to create different meanings

For those still struggling to pin down the nuances, use the category clues along with the spoilers below to get a leg up:

	DELIBERATION
	USED IN STARTING A FIRE
	USED TO VIEW A BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE
	WORDS AFTER “X”

Today’s Connections Answers

DECEMBER 09 #547

Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained

Although this wasn’t my first category today, I figured it out fairly quickly. I’d say this category was clearer than the others, yet still challenging. SCRUTINY has a tendency to intersect with some other entries, and FACTOR might confuse you as a red herring here. REFLECTION also seemed ambiguous; I almost categorized it with the green group, but I ultimately remembered that these four words fit better together. It just goes to show how perplexing today’s puzzle can be.

Green Answers: Revealed & Explained

The categories keep getting trickier. The MAGNIFYING GLASS can swing between categories, which might derail your progress if you’re not aware that it can indeed start a fire. A light RAY can also ignite a flame, and the REFLECTION plays a crucial role in directing those rays. To navigate this category effectively, also consider the relationships between all other words.

Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained

This could easily turn into a long list of scientific equipment, with the MAGNIFYING GLASS and related items included here. As mentioned, RAY is somewhat unpredictable. Also, STAIN might feel less relevant compared to other terms in the puzzle. The proximity of these categories can be quite confusing, but with patience and thoughtfulness, you can work through today’s tricky challenge.

Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained

I actually tackled this one before the previous category. It clicked for me as I was trying to identify words that didn’t fit in the prior category, which reminded me of the show X-FILES. Once I connected those dots, I felt a rush of relief as everything fell into place.

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Released

June 12, 2023

Developer(s)

The New York Times Company

Publisher(s)

The New York Times Company

ESRB

e

Platform(s)

Web Browser, Mobile