The New York Times’ popular word game, “Connections,” presented a challenging puzzle on January 6, 2025. This article provides hints and the solution for those who found themselves stumped.
How to Play “Connections”
“Connections” presents players with a grid of sixteen words. The objective is to divide these words into four groups of four, each group sharing a common theme. The difficulty of each category is color-coded: yellow (easiest), followed by green, blue, and purple (hardest). Once a player selects four words for a category, they click “submit.” If the selection is correct, the category’s corresponding color will appear.
Hints for the January 6th Puzzle
The following hints should aid in solving the January 6th “Connections” puzzle:
* Category 1: Terms associated with heavy breathing or exertion.
* Category 2: Words describing something broad or all-encompassing.
* Category 3: Phrases commonly used to describe tasks requiring minimal effort.
* Category 4: Words referring to the back or posterior, with a slight modification to their spelling (removal of the last letter).
The Game’s Design Process
According to “Connections” editor Wyna Liu, in a July 2024 interview with *Slate*, the game’s creation is a surprisingly organic process. She begins with a core idea, often jotted down in a notebook, and then allows the word associations to organically develop. This iterative process often leads to unexpected and delightful category combinations. Liu describes the process as starting with a “seed” and watching the potential categories bloom from there, a process she finds immensely satisfying.
The January 6th “Connections” Solution
The solution to the January 6th “Connections” puzzle is:
* Breathe Hard: GASP, HEAVE, PANT, PUFF
* Catchall: BLANKET, BROAD, GENERAL, UMBRELLA
* Metaphors for Easy Things: ABC, BREEZE, PICNIC, PIE
* Synonyms for Rear Minus Last Letter: ARS, BOOT, BUT, RUM