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If yourConnectionspuzzle is going a bit rough today, you might be seeking out a way to smoothen out that ride. There can be a lot of ups and downs while trying to solve these puzzles,especially if you get stuck on a particular word or category. If you do, we are here to help you escape the rut by supplying handy clues and answers when necessary. With our help, you should be well on your way to solving the puzzle.
Once you have gotten the hang ofConnections, you might want to try something more challenging. If so, the puzzle you are looking for is theNYT Letter Boxed puzzle, which has ahigher baseline of difficulty while relying on many of the same tactics. It can be hard to get your head around in the beginning, but once you feel the rhythm and understand how to string letters and words together, it is a lot of fun to attempt the challenge.

Today’s Connections Category Hints
SEPTEMBER 23 #469
While you are trying to solve the puzzle, it can be hard to see what words connect to which when they seem disconnected. Today, the last two categoriescan feel like they are filled with very different words, and another one has some words that you may not be familiar with in the sense that they are used in. To make things a little easier, here are some clues to help you figure out those nuances:
NYT Mini Crossword: 8 Strategies To Solve It Fast
This tricky little five by five crossword isn’t always as easy as it looks; here are a couple easy tips and tricks to beat your friends' times!
If you need a little more from us, we still have a lot more to give you when you need it. Below are all of the category names from today’s puzzle andfull spoilers further downif your brain is feeling fizzled.

___ PARK
RUGGED
UNEVEN
This one did trick me for a short time, as there is a fifth word that could go in here. ROCKY is the trickster, and I eventually switched it out for UNEVEN, which proved to be right and saved me from losing my game. I had to pivot fairly quickly, andfiguring out which word didn’t belong was harderfor this one. It was more of a guess than anything, but luckily that proved fruitful this time.Itdoesn’t always work out withConnections, but I was glad it did.
PATCH
PLOT
This one could be rough for anyone who has not encountered these words in this context. While that is normally true, these words in this context feel like they are a little more unusual.PLOT is the one I hear most often, with PATCH mostly used around the fall when people start talking about the pumpkin patch. PARCEL and BED are less common, with one mostly meaning packages and one meaning a place to sleep more often. However, there are parcels of land and flower beds, so with some luck, I could put this one together.
5 Letter Words Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)
Wordle, the popular word-guessing game hosted by The New York Times, has over 1,700 words remaining as possible solutions.
SCRATCHY
STITCH
I actually came to this category last today. It’s a fact that I was a little sad because I just finished my history of animation class. That being said, all of these words are not as obvious names as something like Mickey would be. That can make itharder to put these together as cartoon names specifically. STITCH is probably the most obvious, but even then, it can also be the word for mending or sewing. This one could have ended quite badly for me, but I surprised myself with the next category.
PARALLEL
SOUTH
I almost never solve this type of purple category before the final guess, but today I noticed NATIONAL and ROCKY, which reminded me of national parks. Seeing AMUSEMENT next to it, I managed to get the right category clue. However, I was again wrong about ROCKY, so I only just managed to throw that one out and add in PARALLEL and SOUTH with one guess to spare. The moral of the story is thattoday the word ROCKY was my nemesis.
Other Games Like Connections
After solving today’s puzzle, tryAbsurdleif you want a much more bizarre version of theWordlegame.
Is It Free To Play?
Wordle(NYT)
Solve a random five-letter word by using color clues.EveryWordleanswercan be found in our daily updated list.
Yes
Worldle
Name a country based only on its silhouette and a few geographical hints.
The Password Game
Create a password in this ever-changing, not-so-simple game. You can find somehelpful tips in ourPassword Gameguide.
Absurdle
Try to solve a game ofWordlewithout any help. With each guess, the game reveals as little information as possible, even changing the word if need be.


