Today : May 06, 2025
Arts & Culture
03 May 2025

NYT Connections Puzzle Challenges Players With Word Associations

Today's game features modern slang, decisive victories, and clever contractions

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, word game enthusiasts are once again challenged by the New York Times' popular puzzle, Connections. This engaging game requires players to sift through 16 seemingly unrelated words and group them into four distinct categories, each connected by a common theme. Today’s puzzle, designated as #692, offers a blend of modern slang, decisive victories, and clever contractions, along with a twist on internet domain endings.

The premise of Connections is straightforward yet deceptive. Players must identify the thematic links among the words without exceeding four incorrect guesses. As many have discovered, the game can be more challenging than it first appears, often requiring a keen analytical mind and a bit of luck to uncover the connections.

To assist players who may be struggling with today’s puzzle, hints have been provided for each category. According to a report by How To Geek, the following clues can guide solvers:


  • Yellow (Easiest): Slang for something impressive or excellent

  • Green (Moderate): A thorough, decisive victory

  • Blue (Tricky): Contractions formed by combining “will” with pronouns—without the apostrophe

  • Purple (Hardest): Website suffixes with an added letter at the end

Based on these hints, players have the opportunity to navigate through the puzzle more effectively. The completed groupings for today’s Connections game are as follows:


  • Yellow – Awesome: BOSS, DOPE, FLY, SICK

  • Green – Defeat Soundly: CRUSH, ROUT, SMASH, TROUNCE

  • Blue – “Will” Contractions (No Apostrophe): HE’LL, IT’LL, SHE’LL, THEY’LL

  • Purple – URL Endings Plus One Letter: COMA, EDUX, GOVT, ORGY

Many players found the purple category particularly elusive, as it required recognizing common web domains with an additional letter. This kind of detail is often what makes Connections a fun yet challenging experience.

Connections, which first launched in June 2023, has quickly gained popularity among puzzle lovers, drawing comparisons to its predecessor, Wordle. However, while Wordle focuses on guessing a single word, Connections tests players' ability to identify themes across multiple words. This unique twist keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, appealing to a wide audience.

For those looking to improve their performance in future games, experts suggest several strategies. First, players should pay attention to the parts of speech in the words provided. Are they primarily nouns, verbs, or adjectives? This can help narrow down potential categories. Additionally, spotting synonyms can sometimes lead players in the right direction, though caution is advised as the game may include misleading options.

Another helpful tactic is to vocalize the words. Speaking them out loud can sometimes reveal connections that aren’t immediately obvious when reading silently. Players should also be prepared for red herrings—words that seem to fit together but actually belong to different categories. For instance, words like BUD, CORONA, and LIGHT might naturally suggest a beer-related grouping, but they could be misdirecting players.

Finally, players are encouraged to shuffle the board, moving words around to see if new connections emerge. This simple act can often provide a fresh perspective and spark new ideas. If a player doesn’t solve the puzzle on the first try, there’s no need to worry—Connections offers a new challenge every day, ensuring that there’s always another opportunity to test one’s skills.

As the NYT Connections game continues to evolve, it remains a testament to the power of words and the joy of language. Whether you are a seasoned player or just starting, the thrill of uncovering connections is what makes this game a staple in the world of word puzzles.

So, how did you fare with today’s Connections? Did you manage to group all the words correctly? If you’re still feeling stumped, remember that practice makes perfect. Dive into tomorrow’s puzzle with a fresh mindset, and who knows? You might just crack the code!

In summary, today’s NYT Connections puzzle challenges players with categories that range from modern slang to clever grammatical forms. With the right strategies and a little persistence, anyone can master the art of Connections.