The New York Times Connections puzzle has captivated players again with its latest challenge, puzzle #676, released on April 17, 2025. This daily word game, known for its intricate web of connections, invites players to find common themes among a set of 16 words. Today’s challenge features words that span various categories, each requiring keen insight to group correctly.
Today's puzzle includes the following words: Case, Mantle, Sauce, Core, Crust, Forty, Trunk, Trout, Torso, Young, Six-Pack, Cheese, Toppings, Bonds, Midriff, and Growler. As players dive into the challenge, they must not only identify the connections but also avoid making too many mistakes—after four incorrect guesses, the game ends.
Connections is one of the most popular games in the New York Times lineup, designed to test players' abilities to spot the "common threads between words." Each puzzle resets at midnight, and with every new iteration, the difficulty ramps up. As players engage with the game, they often find themselves needing a little extra help, especially when the relationships between words become less clear.
For those needing assistance, hints are provided to help navigate through the puzzle. Today’s hints suggest that players should think about different aspects of a popular dish, elements of the human body, packaging types for beverages, and legendary figures from baseball. Specifically, the hints are:
- Yellow Group: These four words describe the same part of your body.
- Green Group: Four parts of the same dish.
- Blue Group: They're similar to a keg.
- Purple Group: This one is about baseball.
These clues guide players toward identifying the correct categories. The yellow group relates to the central section of the body, while the green group encompasses components of a pizza. The blue group focuses on units of beer, and the purple group highlights baseball greats.
As players sift through the options, they will discover that the correct groupings for today’s puzzle are:
- Yellow: Central Section of the Body – CORE, MIDRIFF, TORSO, TRUNK
- Green: Components of a Pizza – CHEESE, CRUST, SAUCE, TOPPINGS
- Blue: Units of Beer – CASE, FORTY, GROWLER, SIX-PACK
- Purple: Baseball Greats – BONDS, MANTLE, TROUT, YOUNG
These categories reveal the hidden connections among the words, providing a satisfying resolution for players who manage to solve the puzzle. The combination of food, body parts, beverage packaging, and sports legends illustrates the diverse themes that can emerge in the Connections game.
The New York Times has made an effort to ensure that Connections remains engaging and challenging for its audience, encouraging players to think critically and creatively. As players tackle today’s puzzle, they are reminded that the game is not just about finding the answers but also about the enjoyment of the challenge itself.
For those who may not have succeeded in solving the puzzle this time, there’s always tomorrow! With new words and themes, the Connections game continues to provide a fresh challenge each day, fostering a community of puzzle enthusiasts eager to test their skills.
Whether you’re a seasoned Connections player or a newcomer, the thrill of uncovering the connections is what keeps players coming back for more. The game’s format encourages social interaction, as players often share their results and strategies on social media, much like the phenomenon seen with Wordle.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, take a deep breath, revisit those hints, and remember that each puzzle is a chance to stretch your mental muscles. With every new puzzle, you have the opportunity to improve your skills and enjoy the process of discovery.
As the day winds down, players can look forward to another round of Connections tomorrow, ready to tackle new words and uncover fresh connections. Until then, keep puzzling and enjoy the journey!
