On December 18, 2024, fans of word games can look forward to yet another engaging round of the New York Times Connections puzzle. This daily game not only stimulates the mind but adds fun to the routine of puzzle-solving. Below, we’ll provide hints for the current day’s categories, strategies for approaching the game, and the full solutions for those who’d rather not work through the clues.
Connections has captured the attention of many players since its launch, primarily because it boasts new puzzles every day and can be accessed easily on the New York Times website or via their Games app at midnight. Comprising 16 words arranged on a grid, the objective is to classify these words or phrases by identifying four distinct groups containing four items each.
To make things easier, each group is color-coded according to difficulty, with yellow being the simplest and purple typically serving as the most challenging. This approach keeps players on their toes and often leads to engaging discussions about possible connections. It’s no surprise this game has become popular, with players eagerly sharing strategies and results on social media.
For the December 18 puzzle, here are the hints to get you started. Each hint is framed to invoke thought without directly leading to the answer:
- Yellow category: Take care of something.
- Green category: These might be on tap.
- Blue category: Common terms on Bay Street or in The City.
- Purple category: Semi-circular, perhaps.
Keep these hints close as we reveal the answers, but be warned, spoilers are just around the corner. The excitement builds as players narrow down their group choices. It’s all part of the fun!
Today's groupings can be very tricky if you don’t focus on the hints and synonyms. The full solutions for this update are as follows:
- Yellow group: deal with (FIELD, HANDLE, MANAGE, TACKLE)
- Green group: styles of beer (BITTER, BOCK, SOUR, STOUT)
- Blue group: investment verbs (HEDGE, HOLD, SHORT, TRADE)
- Purple group: ___ dome (CAPITOL, CHROME, ONION, TEAPOT)
Players often find themselves grappling with the most obscure references, especially when they haven’t seen or heard of certain terms! For example, the term BOCK refers to a style of dark beer which piqued some players’ interest, leading them to Google for more information, sparking curiosity about the uninitiated.
Another challenging aspect is the purple category, which many acknowledge as the hardest puzzle to crack. For these terms: CAPITOL refers to the dome of the Capitol building, CHROME is often used colloquially for bald heads, ONION is used to describe the bulbous dome shape often seen on religious buildings, and TEAPOT dome references the infamous political scandal. Without prior knowledge of these connections, players might find themselves at wit's end!
To win at Connections, patience is key. The groupings can often mislead players, especially when several words seem fitting for different categories. A good tip is to not hit “submit” until you are confident about your choices. If you find yourself confused, revisit the hints and rethink how each word might relate to the others.
One of the best strategies, as many players would advise, is to look for words with no clear connection to known themes. Sometimes the less obvious associations are the keys to grouping. So when you're logged on playing the game tomorrow or during the week, don’t hesitate to revisit previous puzzles for practice!
Lastly, if you find yourself struggling to solve the puzzles on your own, be sure to check this page regularly—we’ll have daily hints and solutions to assist you! Join the community discussions online to share strategies and feedback. Embrace the challenge and enjoy the delightful whimsy of the New York Times Connections game!