NYT Puzzle Clues and Solutions for Wednesday, May 7th, 2025: A Breakdown of Crossword Puzzle Hints and Answers for Enthusiasts
Breaking Down Connections, May 7, 2025 Edition
Hey there, puzzle enthusiasts! Let's dive into the scoop on today's Connections - the NYT's daily brain teaser that'll have you scratching your head and thinking outside the box. Here are the lowdown, hints, and solutions for those of you aching to crack today's puzzle. Mind your steps, as this post contains spoilers for May 7's Connections (#696)!
Don't miss out on our daily dose of Connections hints - bookmark this page or head over to our archive to catch up on past puzzles[1]. With no further ado, let's get started!
A Sneak Peek at the Themes
Here's a taste of the puzzles' theme groupings, minus any spoilers:
- Yellow: The Healing Ways - Clues about bodily recovery and mending.
- Green: The Exclusion Game - Phrases that describe leaving something out.
- Blue: The Arcane Art - Mystical symbols used in fortune-telling.
- Purple: The Soundalikes - Words that spirit away to audio doppelgängers.
The Revelation: Be Warned, Spoilers Ahead!
We're diving headfirst into the secrets of today's Connections. Read on at your own risk, as we'll be opening up about the answers.
Bracing for the Challenges
Fair warning, there are a couple of tricky spots that might befuddle your brain. Here are the trickier parts of today's Connections puzzle:
- KNIT and PURL: At first glance, these might prompt thoughts of crafting and stitching, but they don't quite fit.
- QUARTS and CUPS: Liquid quantities usually spring to mind for these terms, but we'll discover soon that that's not what they're about.
So, What are the Categories Today?
Ready to learn about the Connections categories of the day? Here you go:
- Yellow: The Mending Process - The category that's all about recovery and repair. Key words: HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER.
- Green: Keeping it Out - The group that plays with the concept of exclusion. Key words: BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE.
- Blue: The Arcane Set - The enigmatic group that links to the Minor Arcana cards in Tarot. Key words: CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS.
- Purple: Sound-alike Gems - The toughie of the bunch that features homophones of gemstones. Key words: CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS.
Double Warning: Solutions Up Ahead
Are you ready to learn the secrets of the day? Here are the puzzles' answers:
The Yellow Words:
- The yellow grouping tackles getting better, a bit like a broken bone healing. Key words: HEAL, KNIT, MEND, RECOVER.
The Green Words:
- The green grouping is all about being exclusive, using phrases like "on the other hand." Key words: BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, SAVE.
The Blue Words:
- The blue grouping brings Tarot into play, focusing on the Minor Arcana card suits. Key words: CUPS, PENTACLES, SWORDS, WANDS.
The Purple Words:
- The purple grouping challenges us with homophones, resembling gemstones. Key words: CHORAL, OPEL, PURL, QUARTS.
A Closer Look at the Solution Process
Here's a breakdown of how the solutions were derived:
- PENTACLES stood out, being a card suit from the Tarot deck. CUPS, SWORDS, and WANDS are also Tarot card suits. 🟦
- RECOVER, MEND, and HEAL looked like synonyms. KNIT and SAVE could both potentially fit.
- OPEL appeared weird. Though it sounds similar to "opal," it isn't. PURL was also a homophone, but it's related to "pearl." QUARTS (quartz) and CHORAL (coral) made the cut.
Ah, I see now: SAVE actually goes with BESIDES, BUT, and EXCEPT - words often used when contrasting things. 🟩
That implies that KNIT is the missing piece connecting RECOVER, HEAL, and MEND. 🟨
Diving into Connections
Want to know how to master Connections? Check out my articles on getting started with Connections and tips for winning[2]. Always keep in mind these important takeaways:
- Groupings are sneaky, so expect overlapping categories.
- Try focusing on the words that seem to have no connection to the others and explore unconventional themes.
- If you get stuck, consulting hints like these is always an option. Happy puzzling!
[1]
- Today's Connections theme, 'The Mending Process', involves words related to the healing process, such as HEAL, KNIT, MEND, and RECOVER.
- In the Green group, 'Keeping it Out', the words BESIDES, BUT, EXCEPT, and SAVE are connected, emphasizing the concept of exclusion in phrases like "on the other hand".
