The *New York Times*’ “Connections” word game continues to captivate players with its challenging yet rewarding puzzles. The January 4th, 2025 edition proved particularly tricky for many, prompting the need for some helpful hints and the final solution.
How to Play “Connections”
The game presents a grid of sixteen words. Players must divide these words into four groups of four, each group sharing a common theme or connection. The difficulty level of each category is indicated by color: yellow (easiest), followed by green, blue, and finally purple (most difficult). Once a player believes they have correctly grouped four words, they submit their selection. If correct, the category’s designated color will appear.
Hints for the January 4th Puzzle
Here are some clues to aid in solving the January 4th, 2025 “Connections” puzzle:
* Ways to crush something into a smaller shape.
* Items that help keep things in place.
* Ways to show something is done or resolved.
* Objects and symbols featured in Salvador Dalí’s surrealist painting, *The Persistence of Memory*.
Behind the Scenes of “Connections”
“Connections” editor Wyna Liu shed light on the game’s creation process in a July 2024 interview with *Slate*. She explained that she keeps a notebook of potential category ideas. The process begins with a single concept, a “seed,” from which she expands, exploring word associations and possibilities until a coherent and challenging puzzle emerges. This organic approach contributes to the game’s surprising and engaging nature.
The January 4th, 2025 “Connections” Solution
The solution to the January 4th, 2025 “Connections” puzzle is:
* Crush Into a Compact Shape: BALL, CRUMPLE, SCRUNCH, WAD
* Fasteners: BUCKLE, CLIP, HOOK, SNAP
* Mark as Completed: CHECK, CROSS, STRIKE, TICK
* Depictions in Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory”: ANT, BRANCH, CLOCK, MELTING