NYT Puzzle Solutions: Sunday, August 10 Clues and Responses
The New York Times' popular puzzle game, "Connections", is a brain-teasing challenge that requires strategic thinking and a keen eye for word connections. Launched in 2019, the game has been edited by Wyna Liu since 2020.
Each day, a new puzzle is unveiled at midnight local time, with 16 words waiting to be organised into four sets of four. The objective is to identify the common link that binds each group, and only one specific grouping is correct.
To excel in "Connections", players must think beyond literal meanings, exploring synonyms, homophones, or larger phrases the words might belong to. Here are some strategic tips to help you master the game:
- Think outside the box: Consider multiple meanings and connections, including idioms or less obvious relationships.
- Use elimination: Cross off words that definitely don’t belong in a group to narrow down possibilities.
- Leverage the "one-away" clue: The game provides a hint when you are one word short of a correct group. Use it by substituting one word at a time until the correct set is found.
- Be mindful of wordplay: Puzzle creators often use double meanings and homophones to trick players, so consider all possible interpretations of a word.
- Work sequentially and carefully: Analyse all the words and possible themes carefully before grouping. Rushing can lead to mistakes.
- Use process of elimination: Completing three groups correctly often simplifies solving the last one, which can sometimes be deduced by exclusion.
The game offers a relaxing pace, with no time limit, and allows for up to four mistakes. The difficulty level varies, with some groups being easier while others are deliberately tough or obscure, often requiring lateral thinking.
"Connections" rewards careful pattern recognition and vocabulary breadth as you identify subtle shared traits between words. With a strategic mindset and methodical approach, players can master the puzzle and improve their success rate over time.
The game can be played on the New York Times website or through the NYT Games app on iOS or Android. On the one-year anniversary of "Connections" launching, Wyna Liu posted a TikTok about her favourite puzzles, showcasing the game's engaging and thought-provoking nature.
Today's "Connections" answers for various categories include:
- "INFLUENCE": JUICE, PULL, SWAY, WEIGHT
- "AMASS": CLUSTER, COLLECT, CONCENTRATE, GROUP
- "STARTING WITH MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSES, FOR SHORT": BIOPIC, CALCIUM, CHEMISE, TRIGLYCERIDE
- "KINDS OF FICTION": FAN, HISTORICAL, PULP, SCIENCE
Give "Connections" a try and see if you can unravel the hidden connections between seemingly unrelated words. Happy puzzling!
After solving the "Connections" game, sharing your solutions on social media could ignite discussions about creative connections between seemingly unrelated words. Delving deeper into the game, one might stumble upon puzzles that use books as themes or incorporate words related to entertainment.
