January 28, 2025: Today’s Connections Clues & Solutions (Puzzle #597)

It’s that time of the day again: the daily Connections puzzle is here, and it’s definitely challenging. I had a feeling my winning streak wouldn’t last, and I was right on target. What’s frustrating is how close I was to getting it right; if I had only picked a different word in one of my guesses, the outcome could have been entirely different. To help you prevent making similar mistakes, take a look at the tips and strategies provided in this guide.

There’s a wide variety of puzzles available, but if you’re looking for a game that packs several puzzles into one, check out The Password Game. Much like other daily games, this one blends multiple smaller puzzles into one larger challenge that requires you to consider all the answers simultaneously. The first attempt might be tough, but with more practice, it becomes more manageable as you learn what the game expects from you.

Today’s Connections Category Hints

JANUARY 28 #597

This puzzle can be tricky, mainly because several words could fit into various categories or seem like they belong together. This can make it tough for players to identify the categories without any additional hints. The four clues below aim to provide some context, giving you more information as you tackle the rest of the puzzle.

• One category focuses on an individual who behaves in a certain way.
• One category involves four items that are often used together, typically in a specific setting.
• One category consists of four grocery store items, although something important is missing from the puzzle.
• One category includes four words that typically follow a specific word in a phrase related to something you might get in trouble for.

If you’re still looking for more clues, which I would have appreciated, the category names are listed in the box below. Following those, you’ll find the complete spoilers.

Today’s Connections Answers

JANUARY 28 #597

Yellow Answers: Explained

This category was frustrating for me since I guessed a few combinations and still missed it. I thought about items that could incorporate a mix of red, white, and black, as JOKER, CARD, chess, and DIAL all feature some blend of those colors, though not always. I had JOKER, CHARACTER, and LAUGH in the right spot initially, but I still missed the CARD. It seems I can remember chess colors better than I can recall an old usage of a specific term.

Green Answers: Explained

I actually got this category fairly quickly, which was impressive because I don’t really follow a strict workout regimen or enjoy gym equipment much. Even though my cat isn’t a fan of me using DUMBBELLS, I still managed to nail this one down in a short time. Initially, I hesitated on MAT, but overall, I felt good about this category.

Blue Answers: Explained

I came incredibly close to getting this category right multiple times. AIRHEAD, MAR, and SNICKER popped up a few times as I searched for that fourth word. I’m not even sure if I’ve ever tried MOUND candy before, but I recognized it once the answer was revealed. Initially, I thought maybe JOKER could fall under candy, but that clearly wasn’t the case.

Purple Answers: Explained

I wouldn’t have guessed this category unless I had been left with the last four words. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize these words might fit together. I also had many of these words grouped with others in different categories. CHESS, for example, felt more aligned with words like CARD and JOKER, whereas DEMON seemed to fit there as well. I’d also paired BUMP and MOUND at least once.

Other Games Similar to Connections

If you’re still in search of puzzles to enjoy and pass the time, here are some options for you: