Today’s Connections puzzle features categories filled with words that have vastly different meanings, creating a distinctive spread this time. Without some clues, it can be quite tricky to determine the right answers. By understanding definitions and picturing how words are used, you’ll find today’s puzzle much easier.
Unlike the five attempts allowed in the daily NYT Wordle puzzles, you only get four errors in today’s Connections. This tighter limit means you should take extra time to look up words and visualize how they fit together before organizing them into groups. Personally, I found today’s puzzle more manageable when I considered the visual aspects and functions of words based on their meanings.
Today’s Connections Category Hints
May 21, #710
One approach that helped me solve today’s puzzle was to think of the words as titles or actions instead of sticking to their basic definitions. For instance, when I encountered the word TRASH, I didn’t just consider it as garbage; I also thought of it as a “Trash” folder on a computer where digital data goes to be deleted.
If you’re having trouble identifying categories, here are some helpful hints:
- One category includes terms related to preventing entry.
- One category consists of titles for subjects that organize a computer’s files.
- One category contains medical terms that describe various items.
- One category features items that all open similarly.
Related
8 Vertex Strategies To Quickly Solve The Picture
The New York Times Vertex game challenges you to form an image by connecting dots, but understanding the image is key to solving this puzzle quickly.
To enhance your clue-hunting, consider examining the category titles for additional guidance. You might find spoilers for individual categories if you need help completing a particular section.
 |
PROHIBIT, AS ENTRY |
 |
FOLDERS ON A MAC |
 |
MEDICINE FORMATS |
 |
THINGS THAT OPEN LIKE A CLAM |
Today’s Connections Answers
May 21, #710
Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained
|
PROHIBIT, AS ENTRY |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
BAR |
BLOCK |
DENY |
REFUSE |
I had an easy time with this section, as I quickly recognized that REFUSE, DENY, and BLOCK are all actions associated with preventing something. However, it took me a while to realize that BAR also fits this context, as I initially associated it with a physical location.
Green Answers: Revealed & Explained
|
FOLDERS ON A MAC |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
DESKTOP |
MUSIC |
PICTURES |
TRASH |
This section posed a challenge for me because I initially thought DESKTOP, TABLET, and LAPTOP had no relation. However, I realized that TRASH refers to the “Trash” folder on a computer, prompting me to reconsider how the other terms relate as well. I recognized that MUSIC, PICTURES, and DESKTOP are also categories found in a computer system, helping to organize content.
Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained
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MEDICINE FORMATS |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
CREAM |
PATCH |
SPRAY |
TABLET |
Whenever a physician prescribes medication, they’ll likely refer to it as a TABLET. This line of thinking helped me understand this set, which seemed to rely more on medical terminology rather than common phrases. A PATCH is similar to a bandage, while CREAM represents a lotion, and SPRAY can be a mist used in medical contexts.
Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained
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THINGS THAT OPEN LIKE A CLAM |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
CLAM |
COMPACT |
LAPTOP |
WAFFLE IRON |
Visualization was essential for this category, as these words had no apparent order when examined solely by their definitions. Starting with WAFFLE IRON, I recognized that both CLAM and LAPTOP share similar shapes as a waffle iron. Just like a GameBoy Advance or certain flip phones, a COMPACT CD player opens similarly to the other items in this group.
Other Games Like Connections
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Connections
- Released
- June 12, 2023
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- The New York Times Company
- Publisher(s)
- The New York Times Company