How to Play NYT Connections

Winning flow

1. Scan for easy sets (colors often map to difficulty: Yellow → Green → Blue → Purple).
2. Mark duplicates and look-alikes (homonyms, plurals, word forms) to avoid traps.
3. Test subsets of four before locking—swap one word at a time.
4. Use process of elimination—a tough set sometimes reveals itself last.
5. Escalate hints progressively if you’re stuck (gentle → clearer → strong).

Common pitfalls

• Theme overlaps (e.g., ARM can be body part or weapon).
• Grammar bait (gerunds, past tense, plurals) that look like a set but aren't.
• Trivia-heavy sets—favor meaning over vibe when unsure.

Check the archive to revisit prior days once you’ve solved the current grid.