Worried about missing today’s Connections puzzle? Don’t take that risk! We’ve got all the tips you need to tackle this challenging puzzle. While some categories may seem straightforward, there are a few tricky elements that could trip you up. Remember that just because something looks easy, it could be a sneaky trap. To help you out today, here are some pointers to guide you through this word challenge.
If you’re in the mood for something different after finishing Connections, consider trying the NYT Spelling Bee puzzle. As with other daily puzzles from NYT, it maintains a familiar structure but varies significantly from day to day. You’ll create words from letters in a honeycomb shape, always including the center letter. It can turn into a fun scoring competition with friends!
Hints for Today’s Connections Categories
OCTOBER 18 #494
If you’re just looking for a couple of hints to guide you through today’s puzzle, you’ve come to the right spot. The puzzle offers a mix of words with multiple meanings. To excel, focus on words with similar meanings and those that seem to lack synonyms; this can help you decipher about half of the puzzle. After that, use the following hints to uncover the rest!
- One category involves things that don’t perform well.
- Another category features an open door.
- One focuses on currency.
- One category includes four words that complete a phrase; they all share a common element that is both a place and a company.
Once you’ve reviewed the puzzle with these clues, you may find you need a bit more assistance. For a thorough resolution, check out the category names below.
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CLUNKER |
|||
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BUST |
DUD |
FLOP |
MISS |
Answers for Today’s Connections
OCTOBER 18 #494
Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained
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CLUNKER |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
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BUST |
DUD |
FLOP |
MISS |
Ironically, I spotted “FLOP” first and began hunting for other words that could follow “flip,” but I came up short. My training in identifying missing word categories might have skewed my thinking. However, once I ruled that out, I noticed “BUST”, giving me a clearer idea of the category. I quickly found “MISS,” but it took a moment to discover “DUD,” which was a short word hidden in the middle.
Green Answers: Revealed & Explained
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OPPORTUNITY |
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|---|---|---|---|
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CHANCE |
SHOT |
TIME |
TURN |
If you’re expecting to seize an opportunity, you’ll likely take a CHANCE. You can also shoot your SHOT or make your TURN. There are many words associated with seizing opportunities. I initially thought this category might revolve around sports terms, which made the inclusion of “CHANCE” seem somewhat out of place. Nevertheless, there weren’t many possibilities, and I felt relieved to have it all figured out.
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Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained
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NON-CASH WAY TO PAY |
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|---|---|---|---|
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CARD |
CHARGE |
CREDIT |
PLASTIC |
This was the last category I solved today, mainly because I was uncertain about one of the words. I initially believed “CHARGE” might fit better with the preceding sports-themed category. Nevertheless, I was fairly confident that “CREDIT,” “CARD,” and “PLASTIC” all belonged here. I likely could have solved this one earlier had I not cracked the final category sooner than usual.
Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained
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AMAZON ___ |
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|---|---|---|---|
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KINDLE |
PRIME |
RAINFOREST |
RIVER |
I actually stumbled upon this category second, having mentally prepared to look for it after assuming “FLOP” was part of “flip.” I identified the category correctly, and then, keeping that in mind, I recognized “RAINFOREST” and “PRIME”. Following that, I found “KINDLE.” While searching for the last word, I briefly considered if “CREDIT” might fit, but soon realized that the answer had to be “RIVER.” Surely, Amazon has many branded terms, but these will suffice for now.
Other Games Similar to Connections
If you’re looking to cap off your puzzling day with something fresh, I recommend trying out one of the puzzles in the table below. Primel stands out as the most unique, while Crosswordle ranks as the most enjoyable.
- Released
- June 12, 2023
- Developer(s)
- The New York Times Company
- Publisher(s)
- The New York Times Company
- ESRB
- e
- Platform(s)
- Web Browser, Mobile
Notice: The text has been rewritten and restructured to maintain originality while delivering the same message in American English.
