Connections, one of the standout puzzle games from The New York Times, continues to captivate players daily with its clever word association challenges. Much like Wordle and The Mini, Connections resets every night at midnight, giving puzzle enthusiasts a fresh opportunity to test their logic and pattern recognition skills. In this game, players are presented with a grid of 16 seemingly unrelated words and must organize them into four groups of four based on hidden connections.
The challenge lies not only in spotting obvious groupings but also in navigating misleading overlaps. Some words may appear to fit into multiple groups, but only one combination is entirely correct. Players are allowed four mistakes before the game ends, making strategy and careful consideration key to maintaining a winning streak. Success removes the identified group from the grid and reveals the theme, which is color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest).
If today’s puzzle has you stumped, there is no need to worry. The four categories for Monday, April 28, are Hair Products, Austere, Clues at a Crime Scene, and Weary. One example from each group includes GEL for Hair Products, BARE for Austere, FIBER for Clues at a Crime Scene, and BORE for Weary.
For those seeking the complete solution, today’s Connections answers are as follows: Hair Products – GEL, MOUSSE, SPRAY, WAX; Austere – BARE, PLAIN, SIMPLE, SPARE; Clues at a Crime Scene – FIBER, FINGERPRINT, HAIR, TIRE MARK; and Weary – BORE, DRAIN, EXHAUST, TIRE. Each group highlights a different area of association, from personal grooming to forensic evidence to emotional states.
Connections works by challenging players to find logical links between words and reinforcing careful thought through a limited number of mistakes. The ability to shuffle the grid allows for fresh perspectives, and many players find that a quick rearrangement can help previously hidden connections emerge. This structure makes the game both approachable and stimulating, appealing to a broad range of puzzle fans.
Behind the game is Wyna Liu, who has been editing puzzles at The New York Times since 2020. Liu shared in a June 2024 article that when Connections was greenlit, she eagerly embraced the opportunity to create something beyond traditional crosswords. She described the editing and design process as a rewarding expansion of her puzzle expertise, noting the unique demands and satisfaction that come with developing a daily matching game.
Connections has grown steadily since its launch, celebrated with reflections and user engagement across platforms like TikTok. Liu, along with the NYT Games team, continues to adapt and innovate the puzzle experience based on player feedback and evolving game design strategies.
The puzzle refreshes daily at midnight local time, meaning players can look forward to a new challenge every day on both the New York Times website and the NYT Games app, available for iOS and Android devices. Whether you solved today’s puzzle or needed a little help, remember that the key to success in Connections is persistence, creative thinking, and a willingness to see words in new ways. Each day brings a new chance to connect the dots and sharpen your mind.