Connections Unlimited is a word association game published by The New York Times, available on their website and mobile app. Each day, players are presented with a 4x4 grid of 16 words and must group them into four sets of four, each sharing a common theme. With only four mistakes allowed before the game ends, Connections tests your pattern recognition, vocabulary, and lateral thinking skills. Its meteoric rise to become the second-most-played NYT game (behind Wordle) is a testament to its addictive nature.
To help you solve today’s puzzle without spoilers, here are carefully crafted hints for each of the four groups in Connections #717. These clues align with the game’s color-coded difficulty and are designed to nudge you toward the correct categories while preserving the fun of discovery.
Yellow Group (Easiest): Think about everyday objects you might find in a specific setting. This category is grounded in something tangible and familiar.
Green Group: Focus on actions or behaviors that share a common characteristic. These words might describe how something is done.
Blue Group: This group involves a bit of trivia. Consider words that might relate to a specific field or category of knowledge.
Purple Group (Hardest): Look for a creative or abstract connection. This group might involve wordplay, cultural references, or a less obvious theme.
If you’re stuck, try shuffling the board to rearrange the words—it can spark new connections. Also, pay attention to words that could fit multiple groups; there’s only one correct grouping, so test your hypotheses carefully
Mastering Connections requires a mix of strategy, patience, and practice. Here are some expert tips to elevate your gameplay:
Start with the Yellow Group: The yellow group is typically the easiest, so identify it first to reduce the grid’s complexity. Look for obvious connections like synonyms, categories (e.g., animals, colors), or items with a shared purpose.
Eliminate Red Herrings: Some words may seem related but belong to different groups. For example, “mark” and “sucker” might both relate to deception but could be in separate categories. Test your groupings cautiously to avoid mistakes.
Use the Shuffle Feature: Rearranging the grid can help you see patterns you might have missed.
Think Broadly for Purple: The purple group often involves wordplay, puns, or obscure trivia. If you’re stuck, consider if the words share a prefix, suffix, or cultural significance.
Leverage Trivia Knowledge: Blue and green groups may involve niche knowledge, like file extensions or historical references. Brush up on general trivia to improve your chances.
Practice Daily: The more you play, the better you’ll get at spotting patterns. Check out the NYT Connections archive for past puzzles to hone your skills.
The May 28, 2025, puzzle (#717) promises a delightful mix of accessible and challenging groups, perfect for both new players and seasoned solvers. Whether you’re a trivia buff or just love a good word puzzle, today’s Connections Unlimited offers a chance to flex your mental muscles and join a vibrant community of players sharing their solve grids online.
