**Connections: The New Sensation of Word Games by The New York Times**
*Connections* is the latest word game released by *The New York Times* that has garnered the interest of puzzle lovers worldwide. The game invites players to discover “shared themes among words.” Much like *Wordle*, *Connections* refreshes every day at midnight, with each new challenge becoming progressively tougher. To assist you in tackling these mind-benders, we’ve gathered some hints and strategies to support you.
If you’re searching for today’s puzzle solution, scroll down to the end of this article. However, if you prefer to find the solution independently, continue reading for some helpful tips and prompts.
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### What Is *Connections*?
The *New York Times*’ latest daily word game has turned into a viral hit on social media. Developed with the collaboration of associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, *Connections* has established itself as a feature in the *Times*’ Games section. The game is available on both web browsers and mobile devices, with a straightforward yet captivating objective: categorize four words that share a common theme.
Each puzzle features 16 words that must be divided into four distinct categories. These groups can encompass anything from book titles to software names, country names, and beyond. Although some words may appear to belong to different categories, only one correct solution exists for each set.
When a player successfully identifies a group of four, those words are eliminated from the board. Conversely, incorrect guesses are counted as errors, and players have a limit of four mistakes before the game concludes. To facilitate gameplay, players can reorganize the board to rearrange the words and identify connections more clearly. Each group is color-coded based on difficulty: yellow (easiest), followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to *Wordle*, participants can share their results on social media to compare achievements with friends.
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### Tips for Today’s *Connections* Puzzle
Looking for a little guidance? Here are some hints for today’s categories without revealing the answers:
– **Yellow**: Envision a perfect setting.
– **Green**: Involves physical exertion.
– **Blue**: Terms that blend together.
– **Purple**: Words that conclude with synonyms for “companion.”
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### Today’s *Connections* Categories
If you’re feeling stuck, here’s a look at today’s categories:
– **Yellow**: Utopia
– **Green**: Things You Shake
– **Blue**: Proper Noun Portmanteaux
– **Purple**: Ending in Synonyms for “Friend”
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### The Solution to Today’s *Connections* Puzzle
Ready for the answers? This is your final opportunity to solve the puzzle before we unveil the solutions. Drumroll, please!
The solution to *Connections* #549 is:
– **Utopia**: PARADISE, SEVENTH HEAVEN, SHANGRI-LA, XANADU
– **Things You Shake**: HAIRSPRAY, MAGIC 8 BALL, SALAD DRESSING, SNOWGLOBE
– **Proper Noun Portmanteaux**: JAZZERCISE, PARALYMPICS, POKEMON, WIKIPEDIA
– **Ending in Synonyms for “Friend”**: KETCHUM, PAYPAL, PRIMATE, ROSEBUD
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### Don’t Be Discouraged if You Didn’t Solve It
If you were unable to figure out today’s puzzle, don’t be disheartened! A brand-new *Connections* puzzle awaits you tomorrow, and we’ll be back with more hints and solutions to assist you.
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### Looking for More Games?
If you enjoy puzzles, visit *Mashable*’s [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more. Additionally, if you’re playing *Wordle* or *Strands*, we provide daily hints and answers for those games as well.
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Here’s the solution.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-sports-edition-hint-answer-today-december-11)