If you’re finding today’s Connections puzzle a bit challenging, don’t worry—you’re not alone! I personally felt today’s puzzle was tougher than the previous couple of days, but that can vary for everyone. Each person may struggle with different aspects of a puzzle. If you’re in the same boat, here are some tips that might help you crack it.
If you’re tired of word puzzles that involve tricky wordplay, consider trying the NYT Tiles puzzle. It offers a refreshing twist with its playful approach, where you can match pieces to build long combinations for higher scores. Plus, it features a fun celebration at the end!
Today’s Connections Category Hints
JANUARY 02 #571
If you’re having difficulty with today’s puzzle, I completely understand—I wished for hints myself! Some words in this puzzle just don’t seem to fit, while others that appear to be a match are not. Several times, I thought I had the right answer, but didn’t even get a “one away” note when I was wrong. So, here are a few clues to assist you:
- One category relates to visibility.
- Another category is focused on sound, especially if it follows a syncopated rhythm.
- One category deals with items that come in a similar amount.
- A final category includes four words that follow one particular animal name in a phrase.
Additional Help with Today’s Puzzle
If you need a little more guidance, try to identify the names of the categories. If you’re still stuck, don’t worry; full spoilers will be available further on.
Today’s Connections Answers
JANUARY 02 #571
Yellow Answers: Explained
Category: PERCEIVE
| Words |
|---|
| CATCH |
| CLOCK |
| NOTICE |
| REGISTER |
I was very close with this category and had multiple guesses that included two or more of these terms. I initially thought of TAG and METER, but my focus on NOTICE and REGISTER, which felt more official, didn’t lead me to the right answer.
Green Answers: Explained
Category: CADENCE
| Words |
|---|
| BEAT |
| METER |
| RHYTHM |
| TIME |
I had BEAT and RHYTHM grouped together, but finding the other two words proved to be tricky. I guessed CLOCK when I should have gone with METER. It was disappointing to break my streak, but I hope my experiences help you avoid similar mistakes.
Blue Answers: Explained
Category: ONE IN A GROUP OF TWELVE
| Words |
|---|
| DONUT |
| INCH |
| JUROR |
| MONTH |
I likely wouldn’t have gotten this category on my own, as I mistakenly grouped MONTH and INCH with CLOCK and TIME at one point, which clearly didn’t fit.
Purple Answers: Explained
Category: DOG ___
| Words |
|---|
| DAYS |
| PADDLE |
| TAG |
| TIRED |
This category was a tough puzzle as well. TAG crossed my mind for different reasons. I wondered about PADDLE before discarding it. I thought DAYS belonged with the other time-related words too, which complicated things further.
Other Games Like Connections
If you’re interested in exploring more word-based puzzles, there are plenty available.
Let me know if you’re looking for anything specific!
